Congress Set to Confirm 2024 Electoral College Votes Amid Jan. 6 Defendants’ Hopes for Pardons

As Congress prepares to count the Electoral College votes on Monday, affirming President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, attention is also focused on the fate of individuals tied to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Nearly 1,580 people have been charged in connection with the riot, the largest investigation in the Justice Department’s history, and many are awaiting to see if Trump will honor his promise to pardon them or commute their sentences.

Among those charged, over 170 are accused of using dangerous weapons, such as fire extinguishers and bear spray, against law enforcement officers. While the majority face nonviolent misdemeanor charges, some stand accused of conspiring to violently resist the peaceful transfer of power. Others have admitted to physically fighting officers and attacking journalists during the riot.

This pivotal moment in U.S. history continues to resonate as the country grapples with the long-term consequences of the attack, while those involved await clarity on their legal futures amidst the political landscape.