DeSantis open to pardoning Jan. 6 Capitol breach participants.

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis ⁤is making a bold move by restarting his presidential campaign. In a recent address, ⁤he took a moment to acknowledge ‍the⁣ trials of the men and women involved in the breach of the Capitol on Jan. 6, ⁣2021.

When asked about ‌the‌ possibility of commuting or pardoning those involved ​if he becomes president, Mr. DeSantis kept the​ door open, emphasizing the importance⁣ of ensuring “a single standard of justice” ⁣is upheld. He stated,⁣ “We⁣ will look at all those cases,” and acknowledged that there are “some examples⁤ of people that should not have been prosecuted. They just ⁤walked into the Capitol.”

Several rulings have recently handed down sentences of more than 15 years in prison for terrorism and insurrection.

One⁣ notable case is that of Henry “Enrique” Tarrio Jr., the former chairman of the Proud Boys based in Florida. He was ⁣sentenced to 22 years in⁢ federal ⁢prison for his role as the “ultimate leader” of the⁣ seditious conspiracy, according to ‍U.S.⁤ District Judge Timothy Kelly.

It’s important ‍to note ‍that​ Mr. Tarrio was not physically present​ at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Mr. DeSantis⁢ acknowledged that there‌ are “other ⁢examples of people that probably did commit misconduct. They may have been violent, but to say⁤ it’s an act of terrorism—when ⁤it was basically a ​protest that devolved into a riot to do⁤ excessive sentences—you can⁢ look​ and go, ‘Okay, maybe they were guilty.’

“But 22 years if other people that did ‌other things got‌ six months?”

Mr. DeSantis compared the actions‌ of Jan. 6, ‍which he ⁣said resulted in ⁣minimal physical ⁣damage, with the destructive Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots in 2021.

“If they were BLM, they would not have been prosecuted,” he stated. “We’ll use pardons⁢ and commutations as appropriate to ensure that everyone⁤ is treated equally. As we know, a lot of people involved in the BLM riots ‌didn’t⁢ face prosecution at all.”

To issue a ‍commutation is to‍ change a previously issued legal penalty to a lesser one.

Mr. DeSantis also reaffirmed‌ his support for Vice President Mike ‌Pence’s decision to ⁢ratify the 2020 election during the debate.⁤ In an ⁤earlier interview with Megyn Kelly, he expressed his conflicted feelings about potentially pardoning⁣ President Donald Trump if he were to be convicted ⁢of a crime.

“It doesn’t ‍seem ‍like it would be a good thing,” Mr. DeSantis ⁣said,‌ citing the ​negative impact President Gerald Ford faced when pardoning President Richard Nixon ⁢after the Watergate scandal.

“But at ​the end of the day, it’s like, do ​we want to move​ forward as a country? Or do we want to be mired in these​ past controversies?

“I think ⁢the public wants a fresh start.”

Meanwhile, Mr. DeSantis continues to advocate for ⁤an end to the “weaponization” of justice and federal agencies, emphasizing‌ the importance of⁤ upholding a single standard. ‌He proudly states that he is the only governor who ‌has removed state‌ attorneys who refused to uphold ⁣the law.

Although Mr. DeSantis is currently trailing ⁣behind the former president in the polls, he remains determined. In a direct appeal to “Ride-or-Die” Trump supporters, he declared, “Nobody in the United States—in the⁤ Republican Party—has delivered more​ on America-first policies and principles than me.”

In Colorado, there​ is a new ‌push to ‍disqualify ⁣Trump from ⁢the ⁤primary ballot due to his involvement in the ‍events​ of Jan. 6.⁢ The governor’s campaign ⁣has⁤ not responded to The‍ Epoch Times regarding this matter.