Trump supporters who stormed US Capitol begin to leave prison.

21/1/2025 13:14

Donald Trump supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago will begin to leave prison on Tuesday, after the newly installed president issued a sweeping pardon that signaled he intends to make aggressive use of his executive power.



The Republican president's pardon of 1,500 defendants on Monday, Inauguration Day, drew outrage from lawmakers who were endangered in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, when thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from certifying his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.



"Donald Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.



The attack was spurred by Trump's refusal to acknowledge his defeat, which threatened the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in U.S. history. Roughly 140 police officers were assaulted during the attack and four people died during the chaos.



Among those due to be released are leaders of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers organizations, including some who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.