Letter to the editor: Pardons cannot be undone

Posted 1/29/25

To the editor,

Republicans claim they are the party of law and order. They told us that they fully support the nation’s police and law enforcement men and women. A few days ago, President …

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Letter to the editor: Pardons cannot be undone

Posted

To the editor,

Republicans claim they are the party of law and order. They told us that they fully support the nation’s police and law enforcement men and women. A few days ago, President Trump granted clemency to every convicted criminal who sacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This wiped clean the records of offenders who committed felonies, including acts of violence against police officers.

In addition, the leaders of the insurrection who were found guilty of sedition were freed. 

Police officers were attacked and over 130 were injured with several dying of their injuries. The nation's Capitol building was overrun and desecrated. The whole country watched these crimes take place with shame. The people of the world watched with disbelief and shock. America’s world-wide prestige was forever tarnished.

This act of clemency is an affront to all law enforcement officials and police officers. The police, firefighters and EMTs are our friends and neighbors who deserve our respect and appreciation. 

With the grant of clemency these felons can legally purchase guns, regain the right of voting and normal citizenship and are free to rejoin their terrorist groups and threaten the lives and families of whomever they think opposed them. The heroes who protected the Capitol and our everyday heroes who protect us should not have to live in fear of revenge and retaliation from these freed felons and their masters.  

Pardons cannot be undone, but they must not be forgotten.

Louis Drecktrah

River Falls

Pardons, Donald Trump, clemency, letters