“Capitol Police Chief Denounces Pardons for January 6 Rioters as Betrayal of Law Enforcement”

 

Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger Condemns Trump’s Mass Pardons of January 6th Rioters

Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger delivered a sharp rebuke of Donald Trump’s mass pardons of the violent January 6th insurrectionists, calling the move “a slap in the face” to the officers who defended the Capitol that day.

Manger, who came out of retirement to help rebuild a depleted and demoralized force after the attack, reflected on the deep harm caused by Trump’s actions. “That was probably one of my worst days in this job,” he said. “I think it sent a chilling message to every police officer in this country — that someone can take part in a massive act of public disorder, and a politician can later decide to excuse it because they liked the cause.”

CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane noted that Manger was instrumental in strengthening Capitol security and intelligence following the failures that led to the January 6th siege. Now, Manger is stepping down, leaving behind a department that faces growing threats — nearly 10,000 annually — against members of Congress.

MacFarlane emphasized the scale of the challenge ahead: “Members of Congress must now be protected not just at the Capitol, but in every corner of the country when they return home.”

If Trump's pardons of insurrectionists weren’t troubling enough, he is now reportedly considering clemency for the individuals convicted in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer — yet another alarming sign of how this White House condones violent extremism as long as it's cloaked in MAGA allegiance.

The message is unmistakable: political violence is tolerated — even rewarded — if it serves Trump's interests.