Trump erases Capitol Riot history, sparks controversy
First, Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 people, including those convicted for the storming of the Capitol in 2021. Now, his Department of Justice has removed evidence of crimes committed during the riots from the internet. The database has also disappeared from the FBI site. Participants in the storming and Trump supporters are celebrating, and the media are calling it "rewriting history."
This week, President Donald Trump made an attempt to rewrite the history of the attack by his supporters on the United States Capitol, according to CNN.
The portal reports that a database detailing a wide range of criminal charges and convictions for participants in the January 6 riots has been removed from the Department of Justice website.
The U.S. Attorney's Office refused to comment, as highlighted by the portal.
It is noted that the removal of the comprehensive website cataloging the largest criminal investigation in the history of the modern department coincides with Trump’s decision regarding those convicted on January 6, 2021.
Trump pardoned nearly 1,500 people convicted for participating in the Capitol storming and commuted the sentences of six others. He referred to them as "hostages" whose lives were destroyed.
The President also released early from prison 14 members of far-right extremist groups, including 10 convicted of seditious conspiracy. He also appealed to federal courts in Washington to dismiss over 300 cases that have not yet been resolved.
While signing the pardons in the Oval Office, Trump did not specify whether the pardoned individuals engaged in violence.
"These people have been destroyed. What they've done to these people is outrageous. There's rarely been anything like it in the history of our country," he commented.
The entire website disappeared. Capitol storm participants celebrate
The removal of the Department of Justice website was celebrated by those convicted for their actions on January 6 and their supporters.
"This is a huge victory for J6ers)," wrote Brandon Straka on X, who was among those pardoned by Trump for participating in the Capitol riots.
"This site was one of countless weapons of harassment used by the federal government to make life impossible for its targets from J6," he added.
The FBI, representing another branch of the Department of Justice, also removed from the web its compendium of wanted participants in the Capitol riots. Previously, the federal investigative bureau’s site featured photos and other information about suspects still being sought.
Attack on the Capitol in the USA
As a reminder, on January 6, 2021, demonstrators who disagreed with the results of the most recent U.S. presidential election (Donald Trump lost in them - editor's note) surrounded the Capitol building and then entered it.
The protesters demanded that Congress reject the results, according to which the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, won the election and thus assumed the office of President of the United States. Among those arrested and later charged was Jacob Chansley, known as the "Q Shaman." During the January riots, he was dressed in animal skin and horns.
