Trump supporters gather at DC jail as J6 defendants get released
More than 1,600 people charged or sent to prison for their roles in the insurrection at the Capitol four years ago are now walking free thanks to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Some of those gaining their freedom are being released from the D.C. jail tonight. FOX 5’s Bob Barnard has more.
WASHINGTON – More than 1,600 people charged or sent to prison for their roles in the insurrection at the Capitol four years ago are now walking free thanks to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Some of those gaining their freedom are being released from the D.C. jail.
It was a peaceful gathering as a crowd of a few dozen Trump supporters has been staking out the jail all day, waiting for the release of the 20 or so Jan. 6 inmates who were still being held while they awaited trial.
Some rioters who were convicted and sentenced have been released from prisons across the U.S. since President Donald Trump signed that executive order.
Among them are Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes who came to D.C. after being released from prison in Cumberland, Md.
“I think it’s a good day for America that all the wrongs are being undone,” Rhodes said. “None of these people should’ve been here in the first place. None of them were ever tried a fair trial.”
READ MORE: Oath Keepers’ Stewart Rhodes, Proud Boys’ Enrique Tarrio released after Trump Jan. 6 clemency
“I had years of my life destroyed. I have no money left. Half of my friends and family don’t even speak to me anymore. My brother disowned me. We went through hell in a handbasket,” said Robert Morss, who was released overnight.
Many of the people prosecuted after the riots four years ago were charged with assaulting police officers. The fact they too are now free has some lawmakers, including Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris van Hollen speaking out.
“This is an absolutely outrageous act by President Trump. He is pardoning people who assaulted police officers, who bludgeoned police officers, who bloodied police officers and now he is saying, ‘that’s ok,’” van Hollen said. “I really hope he has to face the family members of these men and women who were beaten up and assaulted by the people that Donald Trump is now letting out of prison.”
There are still as many as 22 people expected to be released from the D.C. jail while all around the country, hundreds have been getting out.
“This is justice. Justice has been done,” J6 defendant William Pope said. “Donald Trump recognized this. He wanted to correct injustice. This was about lawlessness, what took place, not the actions of Jan. 6. It was what happened in the events after.”