At a Glance
- Trump pardoned about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants after his second inauguration.
- Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell received calls about the pardons while on a break.
- Gonell says the pardons erase the justice he sought and have cost him career and health.
Why it matters: The pardons spark debate over accountability for the Capitol attack and affect officers who suffered injuries.
On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump was inaugurated for a second term. Hours later, former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was injured defending the West Front on Jan. 6, 2021, was notified that the new president had pardoned roughly 1,500 defendants.
Pardons and the Impact on Officers
Gonell’s phone buzzed with messages from federal prosecutors, FBI agents and the Bureau of Prisons, all informing him that the president had granted clemency to those who had attacked the Capitol. He said:
Aquilino Gonell stated:
> “They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison.”
> “And to be mindful.”
Gonell was dragged into the crowd by shoulder straps while trying to repel rioters, nearly suffocating and sustaining shoulder and foot injuries that still trouble him. He testified that the injuries were a direct result of the violence.
- About 140 police officers were injured during the riot.
- Gonell’s injuries led to his departure from the Capitol Police.
- He has written a book and continues to deal with PTSD.
Law Enforcement Response and Public Perception
Former Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said the department had to overhaul support for officers after the riot, adding counseling services and better training. He noted that the Capitol is now a lot safer, and that if the same event happened again, the building would not have been breached.
Officer Daniel Hodges said, “A lot of things are getting worse,” after testifying before the House Select Committee and again at a Senate hearing. He also remarked, “I don’t know how you would say it wasn’t violent.”
Former DC police officer Adam Eveland criticized the pardons, saying the administration should have reviewed every case and that he had a hard time processing the decision. Former Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon said the pardons “erased what little justice there was” and that the department is now “unrecognizable.”
| Event | Date | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol riot | Jan. 6, 2021 | 140+ officers injured |
| Trump inauguration | Jan. 20, 2025 | Second term, pardons announced |
| Pardons announced | Jan. 20, 2025 | Roughly 1,500 defendants released |
The public debate intensified as Trump called the pardoned rioters “patriots” and “hostages,” claiming their convictions were a “grave national injustice.”
Debate Over Accountability
President Trump said:
> “Their lives have been ruined.”
> “I think that was wrong.”
He described the convictions for harming officers and breaking into the building as a “grave national injustice.”
Peter Welch asked witnesses at a Senate hearing whether they supported the pardons, and three Republican witnesses raised their hands.
Key Takeaways
- The pardons of about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants have reignited discussion on accountability for the Capitol attack.
- Former officers like Gonell, Hodges, and Pingeon feel the pardons erase the justice they sought and have personal and professional costs.
- Law enforcement leaders have improved training, equipment, and counseling after the riot, yet public perception remains divided.
The debate continues as former officers seek recognition for their injuries and the broader question of how to hold the Capitol attack accountable.
