WASHINGTON — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s pardons for those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, expressing concern over the implications for “injustice.”
In an appearance on MetroNews’ Talkline, Capito acknowledged the president’s constitutional right to issue pardons but questioned Trump’s judgment.
“The President has a pardon prerogative himself. That is a purely executive authority. You saw former President Biden now really expand that authority,” Capito said. “The president, this president, has pardoned all the January Six (defendants). I thought he was going to be doing more of a targeted pardoning.”
Capito also said that President Trump was being insensitive to law enforcement officers who were involved in the Capitol response.
“I’ve read where some of the police officers here at the Capitol, police, their families feel that they’ve been dealt an injustice, and I understand why they feel that way,” she said. “Any violence against a police officer or an officer of the law, I think needs to be put in a different category.”
Despite her criticism, Capito acknowledged the president’s right to act within his powers, but emphasized her frustration.
“So, you know, it’s his prerogative. He did it, and I think we just need to move on,” she concluded.
Capito’s comments come amid ongoing national debates over the January 6 riot, which included pardons for multiple former West Virginia lawmakers that were present at the event.
