The Monsters Trump Pardoned: Violence, Sedition, and an Attack on America
By pardoning these individuals, Donald Trump has sent a dangerous message: violence, destruction, and sedition will be excused if they serve a political agenda.
The brutality these men inflicted—particularly against law enforcement officers—was not incidental; it was intentional, calculated, and aimed at undermining the rule of law. These weren’t misguided protesters swept up in the moment. They were violent extremists who sought to harm our nation, our democracy, and anyone who stood in their way.
Trump’s decision to absolve them of their heinous acts is an insult to the brave officers who defended the Capitol and a betrayal of the principles that underpin our democracy. Let’s examine the monstrous actions of the individuals Trump pardoned and the violence they unleashed on January 6.
Andrew and Matthew Valentin: Masters of Anarchy
Andrew and Matthew Valentin weren’t just vandals—they were aggressors who came prepared to wreak havoc. Armed with crowbars and bear spray, they shattered windows to create access points for rioters and incapacitated officers attempting to control the chaos. Their actions included trapping officers in corridors, leaving them vulnerable to attack. These deliberate acts of violence painted the Valentins as key players in the mob’s strategy to overwhelm law enforcement.
Ethan Nordean: The Proud Boys’ Commander
Ethan Nordean, a leader in the Proud Boys, turned the Capitol grounds into a battlefield. Using a bullhorn, he directed rioters toward strategic entry points, encouraging them to breach barricades and overwhelm officers. Nordean’s calculated leadership escalated the violence, and his role as a commander on the ground ensured the mob could bypass security measures and inflict harm on law enforcement.
Joseph Biggs: The Architect of Aggression
Joseph Biggs played a pivotal role in orchestrating attacks on police and Capitol defenses. Biggs was caught on video dismantling barriers and assaulting officers, including dragging one into the mob, where they were beaten. His actions weren’t spontaneous but carefully planned, with evidence showing his participation in pre-insurrection meetings that mapped out violent strategies.
Dominic Pezzola: The Face of Brutality
Dominic Pezzola didn’t just steal a police riot shield—he weaponized it. Using the shield, Pezzola smashed a Capitol window, allowing the mob to pour into the building. Videos captured him threatening officers with the shield and taunting them as rioters surged forward. Pezzola later celebrated his actions, openly declaring that violence was justified to achieve their goals.
Enrique Tarrio: The Shadow Strategist
Enrique Tarrio, the Proud Boys’ national leader, wasn’t physically present on January 6, but his influence was undeniable. Tarrio orchestrated logistics, provided communications, and distributed a document titled “1776 Returns,” which outlined plans to seize government buildings. Tarrio’s leadership from behind the scenes enabled others to execute his violent vision with devastating results.
Stewart Rhodes: The General of Sedition
As the founder of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes was the architect of a military-style assault on the Capitol. His group moved in a coordinated “stack formation,” bringing weapons and gear for what they anticipated would be a prolonged battle. Rhodes’s communications revealed a chilling resolve to use force against the government, and his seditious conspiracy charges were a testament to his premeditated intent to incite rebellion.
Kyle Young: The Mob’s Most Brutal Enforcer
Kyle Young embodied the mob’s savagery. He played a central role in the horrifying attack on Officer Michael Fanone, who was dragged into the mob, beaten, and tasered until he lost consciousness. Fanone suffered a heart attack and brain injuries from the assault, while Young’s actions epitomized the mob’s willingness to target and harm anyone in their path.
Thomas Webster: The Betrayer of Justice
Thomas Webster, a former NYPD officer, used his training to inflict maximum harm. He wielded a metal flagpole against a Capitol officer, striking him repeatedly and tackling him to the ground. Webster then attempted to rip off the officer’s face shield, leaving him exposed and vulnerable to further assaults by the mob. His betrayal of the values of law enforcement made his actions even more heinous.
A Grave Threat to Democracy
These individuals didn’t simply commit crimes; they orchestrated violence with the intent to destroy democracy, harm law enforcement, and sow chaos. Their pardons send a chilling signal: those who use violence to further a political agenda can act without fear of accountability.
These monsters aren’t patriots—they are traitors to the very ideals they claim to defend. By absolving them, Trump has cast a shadow over justice, dishonored the sacrifices of those who defended the Capitol, and betrayed the principles that hold this nation together. Now, more than ever, America must remember their crimes to ensure that such an attack on democracy never happens again.
Make no mistake, Trump has pardoned these criminals not only so they will be free to assist him in his future attacks but also to encourage others to follow. Now that MAGA knows there will be no consequences for their actions the sky is the limit to what they will do. They’ve had their automatic rifles and other weapons at the ready. To pretend that Trump isn’t going to take full advantage of this is dangerously naive.