Donald Trump pardons over 1500 Capitol riot defendants

Hundreds were arrested for assault, use of a dangerous weapon and causing serious bodily injury to an officer.

It comes as part of a multitude of actions the President said he would enact from day one of his term which he is currently fulfilling.

These defendants are made up of people who were convicted or charged in connection with the US Capitol riot four years ago.

The riot saw Trump supporters storm the government building on 6 January 2021 while Joe Biden was being confirmed as the next president.

Amongst this group include 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keeper, two far-fight groups.

Meanwhile, Trump also signed an order directing the Department of Justice to drop any remaining and pending cases against suspects from the riot.

During Trump's signing ceremony took place in the Oval Office yesterday evening (20 January) in which he displayed a list of names of US Capitol riot defendants that were to receive a pardon.

Trump said: "These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon, full pardon.

"This is a big one.

"These people have been destroyed"

He added: "What they've done to these people is outrageous. There's rarely been anything like it in the history of our country."

The proclamation says that it "ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation".

The BBC reported that according to the Department of Justice, around 1583 defendants have been charged with crimes associated with the riot.