At least 33 pardoned insurrectionists face other criminal charges—but many are now going free

At least 33 January 6th insurrectionists pardoned by President Trump have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes since January 6, 2021, according to new analysis by CREW. Four pardoned insurrectionists have allegedly reoffended since receiving their pardons. Several have argued that the pardon should cover unrelated criminal convictions, and in one case last month, Trump explicitly re-pardoned one insurrectionist for his unrelated weapons charges.

Six of the pardoned January 6th insurrectionists are charged with committing child sex crimes, ranging from sexual assault to possession of child pornography. At least five were charged with illegal possession of weapons, including at least two who had a previous domestic violence conviction. Five were arrested or charged with driving while impaired or under the influence. In two of these cases, the defendant’s reckless driving resulted in a fatality. Two were charged with rape. 

In four cases, the insurrectionists allegedly reoffended after receiving their pardons from Trump. Most recently, Christopher Moynihan was charged with a felony for threatening to murder House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in October. John Andries was convicted in June for violating a peace order by following the mother of his child in violation of a court order. Brent Holdridge and Zachary Alam were charged in May with burglary and breaking and entering, respectively. 

Other insurrectionists had interactions with law enforcement that highlight the dangers posed by Trump’s decision to grant them clemency. Matthew Huttle was killed during a traffic stop when he reportedly resisted arrest and was armed. Nathan Pelham fired on police when they arrested him. 

The nature and severity of the unrelated crimes January 6th insurrectionists have been charged with underscores the significant public safety threats posed by Trump’s decision to forego long established DOJ process and grant blanket, day-one pardons and commutations to insurrectionists.

When individuals are pardoned, there is no traditional monitoring or parole process, which heightens public safety risks. One victim of a pardoned insurrectionist spoke to CBS News in February about her fears, saying “I’m just afraid that I’m going to come home from work one night and he’s going to be right there.” 

Nevertheless, some pardoned insurrectionists, including those charged with unrelated crimes, have been embraced by the GOP establishment. One was invited to the White House. One apparently spoke to a North Carolina GOP group. Another serves on a Virginia school board. 

Header photo of January 6th by Tyler Merbler under Creative Commons license