According to a survey conducted by Politico/Morning Consult, a substantial portion of U.S. voters, comprising 40% who consider it "very likely" and 29% who deem it "somewhat likely," anticipate that President-elect Donald Trump will issue pardons to individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. This sentiment contrasts starkly with the minority of voters, 9% who find it "somewhat unlikely" and 6% who see it as "very unlikely" for Trump to grant pardons in this context.
Since the violent events at the U.S. Capitol, over 1,500 individuals have faced charges, with more than 640 already sentenced, as reported by the Justice Department. President-elect Trump's continued defense of the rioters, whom he has referred to as "warriors" oppressed by the "[Kamala] Harris regime," has set the stage for the public perception that pardons may be imminent. Trump's stance on the matter aligns with his campaign promise to reassess the cases of those he perceives as political prisoners if he secures victory in the 2024 election, further reinforcing voters' expectations regarding potential pardons for Capitol rioters.
The Politico/Morning Consult poll, conducted from November 20-22 and encompassing a sample of 4,012 registered voters, holds a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points. This data emerges against the backdrop of Trump's legal battles, including a recently dismissed federal election subversion case, and underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the potential pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6th riot.