The chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Tuesday ripped President Donald Trump’s pardon of those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, claiming it undermined the mission of law enforcement.
“It certainly did have a negative impact on, you know, cops all over this country. You wonder, you know what? You put your life on the line every day, and does it matter?” said Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger at a House budget hearing.
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In a related House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing, the Architect of the Capitol said that he has yet to receive an order from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to install a special plaque for first responders involved in the riots. The plaque was completed two years ago.
This image, shared exclusively with CBS News, shows the completed Jan. 6 plaque honoring police heroes and victims from the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, which has still not been hung nearly two years past a legally-mandated deadline.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 16, 2025
Under federal law passed in 2022, this plaque… pic.twitter.com/V1Fvx3Hwu2
The police chief was eager to address the pardon question from Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who raised questions about morale and retention after the riots and pardons.
Manger said that Trump’s pardons of those convicted of violence, especially against police, hit hard.
“I think there was an impact to not only to the Capitol Police but an impact nationwide. When you see folks that are pardoned, and I’m really referring to the ones that were convicted of assaulting police officers. I think that’s what bothered most cops,” said the chief.
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Trump has denied that the riots following his election loss to former President Joe Biden were his fault. During the 2024 campaign, he signaled that he would pardon those charged and convicted of non-violent acts at the Capitol but later expanded it to most all involved in the riots.
Congress passed special benefits for Capitol Police following the riots, including retention bonuses, and Manger said they have worked to keep police on the force.