Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or Near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021

Impact dates

1. Jan 20, 2025

   Sentence commutations and pardons take effect; imprisoned individuals to be released immediately

Key directives

• Commute sentences of 14 named individuals to time served as of January 20, 2025
• Grant full, complete, unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of January 6-related offenses
• Attorney General to administer and effectuate immediate issuance of certificates of pardon
• Attorney General to ensure immediate release of all imprisoned individuals convicted of January 6-related offenses
• Bureau of Prisons to immediately implement all DOJ instructions regarding this directive
• Attorney General to pursue dismissal with prejudice of all pending indictments for January 6-related conduct
• Bureau of Prisons to immediately implement all DOJ instructions regarding dismissal directive

Who is ordered

• Attorney General · Department of Justice
• Bureau of Prisons · Department of Justice

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• Immediate release directive may strain Bureau of Prisons operational capacity
• Dismissal with prejudice of pending indictments disrupts ongoing prosecutions and judicial resources
• Potential tension with judicial branch regarding scope of executive clemency authority over pending cases
• No explicit mechanism for individuals already serving sentences to seek expungement or remedies for completed incarceration
• Vague whether pardons cover related charges (e.g., obstruction of official proceeding) versus only direct Capitol entry offenses