Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, representing Illinois and serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the Senate floor to discuss recent developments related to the January 6th insurrectionists. These individuals were pardoned by former President Trump after their involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Durbin recounted his personal experience during the events of January 6, 2021, when insurrectionists interrupted a constitutional proceeding to certify the 2020 election results. He described it as a day he would never forget, emphasizing its impact on him due to his long association with the Capitol since his college days at Georgetown.

Following these events, more than 1,500 individuals faced prosecution by the Department of Justice for their roles in the riot. However, President Trump granted pardons and commutations on his first day in office for those involved in what Durbin described as "horrific violence" against law enforcement officers.

Durbin criticized Trump's decision: “He ignored the fact that 140 law enforcement officials were injured on that day protecting this building and the people in it… He decided the people who needed our sympathy were the rioters and not the police."

Durbin highlighted specific cases involving pardoned individuals. Matthew Huttle was fatally shot during a traffic-related felony arrest; he had been involved in storming the Capitol and awaited a pardon from Trump. Peter Schwartz received a pardon despite being sentenced to prison for assaulting police officers during January 6 events and having prior criminal convictions.

Shantelle Holeton, Schwartz's former girlfriend, expressed fear for her safety following Schwartz's release: “He found an opportunity to go and be violent... He thrives on people fearing him.”

Jeremy Brown was another defendant released following Trump's blanket pardon. Initially held due to unrelated charges not covered by Trump's pardon, Brown was eventually released after serving time for possessing illegal weapons and retaining a national defense document.

In closing remarks, Durbin condemned Trump's actions: “This is a horrible situation... They attacked the police here in this building. They desecrated this Capitol.”

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