Sen. Lindsey Graham says he thinks Trump’s Jan. 6 pardon of violent defendants was ‘a mistake’

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-R.C., said Sunday he believes it was “a mistake” for President Donald Trump to pardon those who were convicted or pleaded guilty to violent crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, riots, Having committed violent crimes in the Capitol.

“The pardoning of the people who went to the Capitol and brutally beat a police officer was, in my opinion, a mistake because it seems to suggest that this is OK,” Graham told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

Graham linked Trump’s decision to pardon violent criminals to former President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon several of his family members during his final hours in office last week.

“You know, Biden has forgiven half of his family for walking out the door. I think if this continues, most Americans will reconsider the presidential pardon power if this continues,” Graham told “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker.

He added: “As far as pardoning violent people who beat up police officers, I think that’s a mistake.”

Later in the broadcast, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, agreed with Graham, telling Welker that Biden “was wrong to grant these pardons.”

He added: “What it says now to the Trump family and President Trump’s children: They can engage in any kind of misconduct, criminality, bribery, etc., and they can expect a pardon on the way out.” That is not a message you want to send to this family, or really any family in the White House.”

On Monday, just hours after being sworn in for a second term, Trump used his presidential pardon power to pardon about 1,500 of his supporters who pleaded guilty or were convicted for their actions on Jan. 6, fulfilling one of his on most frequently repeated steps campaign promises.

His pardons included those who were found guilty or pleaded guilty to committing violent crimes on a day in which over 140 police officers were injured.

Still, Graham emphasized that Trump’s decision to pardon his supporters fulfilled a promise he made during the campaign.

“There are a lot of people who supported President Trump — law enforcement — who didn’t like that, but he said it during the campaign. He doesn’t cheat people,” Graham said.

He added: “I will be consistent here. I don’t like the idea of ​​releasing people from prison or pardoning people who burn down cities and beat up cops, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat.”