County Legislature denounces Presidential Pardons of January 6 rioters

Opinion By : Rockland County Legislators Itamar Yeger, Alden Wolfe, Jesse Malowitz, Dana G. Stilley, Toney Earl, Jay Hood, Aney Paul, Beth Davidson, Paul Cleary, Phil Soskin

In a statement shared with the RCT this week, County Legislators condemned an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump, which issued a blanket pardon for  over a thousand people who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. 

“We are stunned that men and women who were convicted of assaulting police officers during the lawlessness at the nation’s capital on Jan. 6, 2021, have been pardoned for their crimes – their convictions cleared as though they never happened.

“Some 174 law enforcement officers suffered injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, heart attacks and  emotional and mental distress during the attempt to stop the certification of the presidential vote count.  

“Among the participants that day were white supremacists and neo-fascist organizations such as the  Proud Boys, and anti-Semites wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the words ‘Camp Auschwitz’ and ‘6MWE’ (meaning 6 million Jews were not enough).  The President pardoned every single convicted participant, including the 132 individuals convicted of assaulting officers. 

“We stand with the law enforcement community, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, to condemn these thoughtless, heartless and utterly self serving pardons. We note that both organizations insist that those convicted serve their sentences.  

“Legislator Yeger, a former member of law enforcement and a prosecutor, added, “Anyone who believes that police officers ought not be subject to senseless violence while protecting the very institutions of our  democracy should be equally distressed.

“Idaho resident Pamela Hemphill, who was sentenced to two months in jail after pleading guilty to violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, said she doesn’t want to be pardoned. She said she pled guilty because she was guilty and that she will not be part of what she describes as attempts to “rewrite  history” concerning the events of Jan. 6. 

“The pardons were issued without appropriate individual case reviews and with no consideration for the real and potential consequences. Police officers who were victims that day are seeking restraining orders against those who attacked them. Officers who wore the badge that day and who desperately tried to protect the People’s House and the counting of the People’s Votes now live in fear for their lives. 

“Certain crimes should never be rewarded with pardons. When you attack a police officer, you attack all of us. 

“The granting of these pardons is shameful and a betrayal of law enforcement officers, as well as everyday  Americans who follow the law. And make no mistake, these pardons will never erase the truth of what happened that day.”