Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin recently addressed the Senate floor, focusing on crimes committed by individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection. He criticized former President Donald Trump's decision to pardon those convicted of offenses during the Capitol storming, which included violent assaults on law enforcement officers. The events resulted in five officer deaths and injuries to over 140 others.

Durbin recounted his personal experience from January 6, 2021, when Congress convened to certify the 2020 election results. "The President made these statements during the course of his campaign, but it still came as something of a shock," he said regarding Trump's pardons issued on his first day in office.

Describing the chaotic scene, Durbin noted, "The Capitol of the United States of America taken over by demonstrators...plenty of them that show these mob demonstrators breaking the windows." He further described how officers were attacked with bear spray and beaten with objects.

Durbin condemned Trump's decision for unconditional pardons: "Then came the President of the United States on his first day in office...every single person arrested for a crime related to January 6 should be released."

He highlighted specific cases post-pardon. Emily Hernandez was sentenced to ten years for a deadly drunk driving crash after serving time for her role at the Capitol. Daniel Ball's charges were dismissed despite possessing illegal weapons due to his criminal background.

Guy Reffitt's case was also mentioned; he attended Kash Patel's FBI Director nomination hearing after being pardoned. Durbin quoted Reffitt’s social media post supporting Patel: "'Present and in support of @KashPatel as the leftist commies continue to spew lies.'"

Durbin concluded by questioning whether Reffitt had learned any lesson from his past actions: "Full, unconditional pardon from Donald Trump."