> At a Glance
> – President Donald Trump has pardoned all Jan. 6 defendants and fired the DOJ-FBI teams that investigated them.
> – The White House now claims the 2021 Capitol attack was “peaceful” and blames police for escalation.
> – A proposed federal fund may compensate rioters; Ashli Babbitt’s family already received $5 million.
> – Why it matters: The move reframes a violent siege that injured 140 officers and caused millions in damage, reshaping public memory ahead of the five-year anniversary.
Five years after the 2021 Capitol siege, President Trump is using his second term to dismantle the legal and narrative legacy of Jan. 6-pardoning rioters, ousting investigators, and promoting a counter-history that casts attackers as patriots.
Mass Pardons and Purges
On Day One, Trump signed sweeping pardons for every Jan. 6 defendant and pre-emptively cleared dozens of election-overturn allies. The Justice Department promptly fired the prosecutors and FBI agents who built the cases.
- 1,500+ cases were reviewed; all charges dropped or sentences commuted.
- Veteran Jan. 6 prosecutors-now out of government-call the purge “maddening,” noting many officers and staff “still deal with trauma.”
A former lead prosecutor (speaking anonymously) said:
> “You know what happened that day, but the chief executive is nodding along to a false narrative. It makes you feel crazy.”
New Official Storyline
The White House launched an anniversary web page Tuesday claiming:
- Protesters were “peaceful” in 2021.
- Police escalation caused violence.
- A timeline header reads: “Stolen Election Certified.”
Vice-President Mike Pence countered on X:
> “It became a triumph of freedom when leaders reconvened the same day and finished democracy’s work.”
Compensation Push
Trump says a federally funded compensation program for rioters is “under discussion.”
- Ashli Babbitt’s family received $5 million; she was shot while attempting to breach the Speaker’s Lobby.
- Attorney Barry Silbermann is filing Federal Tort Claims for clients seeking lost wages and reputational damages.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson blamed media fixation:
> “The media’s continued obsession with January 6 is one reason trust in the press is at historic lows.”
Shifting Republican Sentiment
Once condemned as a “terrorist attack” by Sen. Ted Cruz, Jan. 6 is now downplayed. By the first anniversary Cruz called that remark “frankly dumb.”
- Speaker Mike Johnson’s office shelved plans for an officer-honoring plaque.
- Some GOP senators threaten to sue after learning special counsel Jack Smith seized their phone records.
Defendants’ Mixed Fortunes
While many pardoned rioters celebrate, hurdles remain:
- Gina Bisignano, a Beverly Hills cosmetologist, says she still can’t regain her teaching platform.
- Troy Smocks, convicted of threatening lawmakers, wants prosecutors prosecuted.
- Jared Wise, caught on video yelling “kill ’em,” now works inside DOJ on a “weaponization” report.
Justice Department spokesperson:
> “Jared Wise is a valued member of the Department; we appreciate his contributions.”
Inside the DOJ Overhaul
New hires handling Jan. 6 matters include:
- Vance Day – former Oregon judge suspended for ethical lapses.
- Jonathan Gross – compared Capitol prosecutions to the Holocaust.
- Marshall Yates – ex-aide to Rep. Mo Brooks and former Election Integrity Network staffer.
Dozens of Smith-team alumni have been fired or pushed out.
Key Takeaways
- All Jan. 6 defendants are pardoned; investigators fired.
- The administration is promoting a “peaceful protest” narrative contrary to video evidence.
- $5 million paid to Babbitt’s family; broader compensation under review.
- Some pardoned rioters still face employment and legal struggles.
- A forthcoming DOJ report is expected to echo Trump’s “weaponization” claims.
As the statute of limitations expires, the Capitol siege’s factual record is being rewritten in real time.
