Incoming Vice President JD Vance isn’t backing down after catching heat for his comments on pardoning January 6th protesters. In fact, he’s firing back hard. Vance appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the Trump administration’s plans, but when the topic turned to January 6th pardons, his remarks sparked a social media firestorm.
Vance laid out a straightforward position: peaceful protesters who were treated like criminals by Merrick Garland’s politicized Department of Justice deserve pardons. But those who committed acts of violence? Not so much.
“It’s very simple,” Vance told host Shannon Bream. “If you protested peacefully on Jan. 6th, and you had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member—you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously, you should not be pardoned.”
🚨 NEW: JD Vance lays out criteria for Trump pardoning Jan. 6ers
"If you protested peacefully on Jan. 6th, and you had Merrick Garland's Department of Justice treat you like a gang member – you should be pardoned."
"If you committed violence on that day, obviously, you should… pic.twitter.com/ESGCUXFZ3K
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 12, 2025
Seems reasonable, right? Not according to some on the right. Vance’s comments didn’t sit well with certain conservatives, who accused him of backing away from full support for the January 6th defendants. Popular conservative comedians Keith and Kevin Hodge were among those calling him out, warning Vance to reconsider his stance.
But Vance wasn’t about to let the criticism slide. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he made it clear he’s been in this fight for a long time.
“First of all, I donated to the J6 political prisoner fund and got ROASTED for it during my Senate race,” Vance shot back. “I’ve been defending these guys for years.”
And for those suggesting he’s softening his stance compared to Trump, Vance quickly shut that down. “Second, there were federal informants in the crowd. Do they get a pardon? I don’t think so,” he added. “The president saying he’ll look at each case (and me saying the same) is not some walkback.”
First of all, I donated to the to the J6 political prisoner fund and got ROASTED for it during my senate race. I've been defending these guys for years.
Second, there were federal informants in the crowd. Do they get a pardon? I don't think so. The president saying he'll look at… https://t.co/MDUWkd37fP
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 12, 2025
He emphasized that he and Trump are on the same page: people who were unjustly prosecuted or manipulated deserve justice. “I assure you, we care about people unjustly locked up. Yes, that includes people provoked and it includes people who got a garbage trial.”
Vance is threading a needle here—pushing for fairness without excusing actual violence. It’s a tough balance, but he’s standing firm. His critics may want him to go further, but Vance is making it clear: he’s committed to justice, not blanket absolution.
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