How Trump’s January 6th pardons exposed GOP hypocrisy on “Law and Order” and shattered my faith in America’s imperfect justice system.
While this issue first came up what seems like an enternity ago (2 months). It took a while to formulate my thoughts and despite the bombardment of news, I think it’s important that people remember this happened on Day 1.
As a former law enforcement officer, I spent years believing in the principles that once seemed to unify America—respect for the law, accountability, and justice. But when Trump pardoned the very rioters who attacked police officers on January 6th, something in me broke. These pardons weren’t just a stab in the back to law enforcement—they revealed the true nature of a system I thought I understood. The Republican Party’s abandonment of their supposed commitment to law and order left me questioning if the America I believed in ever truly existed..
What I saw that day wasn’t just chaos—it was a test of loyalty, and it had nothing to do with the Constitution. It was about Trump. It was always about Trump. The same Republican leaders who spent the summer of 2020 preaching about “law and order” suddenly had an excuse for rioters who crushed police officers against doors, tasered them, dragged them into mobs, and sprayed them with bear mace. It was different, they told us. These weren’t criminals. They were “patriots.” And now, with Trump handing out pardons to the very people who attacked law enforcement that day, the message is clear: laws are for other people. “Law and Order” is subjective to the head of the Executive Branch.
For me, Trump’s approach to January 6th was the final confirmation that he doesn’t actually care about America, democracy, or even the people who blindly follow him. If he did care about his followers, he would have paid their legal bills, hired lawyers, fought harder for them, etc. I sincerely believe he thinks his most ardent of followers are what he would label as “losers”. He cares about one thing—himself. And these pardons aren’t about justice or fairness; they’re about rewarding the foot soldiers of his failed coup and ensuring that, if given the chance, they’ll do it all again.
What Really Happened on January 6th?
To hear Trump and his supporters tell it, the events of January 6th were nothing more than a peaceful protest that got a little out of hand. Just some concerned citizens exercising their right to free speech, right? Except, that’s not what actually happened.
January 6, 2021, was a premeditated attack on American democracy, fueled by months of baseless lies about election fraud. In the weeks leading up to the riot, Trump and his allies peddled conspiracy theories about stolen votes, rigged machines, and shadowy cabals working to deny him a second term. His supporters believed every word. And when he told them to march to the Capitol and “fight like hell,” they did exactly that.
By the time the crowd reached the Capitol, the situation had already escalated beyond a simple protest. Rioters broke through barricades, smashed windows, and forced their way into the halls of Congress, many of them armed with makeshift weapons. They chanted “Hang Mike Pence” after Trump turned on his own vice president for refusing to overturn the election results. They erected gallows outside the Capitol as a not-so-subtle threat. And inside, police officers were beaten, trampled, and pepper-sprayed by the very people who once claimed to support them.
Over 140 police officers were injured that day, some suffering broken bones, concussions, and chemical burns. One officer, Brian Sicknick, collapsed after being attacked and died the next day. In the weeks following the attack, some officers who responded to the riot took their own lives.
Despite the violence, Trump remained silent for hours. While his supporters stormed the halls of Congress, he sat back and watched. When his staff and family members pleaded with him to call off the mob, he refused. Instead, he made a post attacking Pence, further inciting the crowd. It wasn’t until the damage was done—until it was clear the coup had failed—that Trump finally told his followers to “go home” and that he loved them.
This is the event that Trump now wants America to forget.
The Republican Party’s Shifting Stance on “Law and Order”
Before January 6th, the Republican Party loved to call itself the party of “law and order.” They prided themselves on being the ones who supported police, who demanded harsh punishments for rioters, and who believed in a no-nonsense approach to crime. After the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Republican lawmakers pushed for stiffer penalties on those who engaged in looting or violence, often calling for federal intervention.
But then January 6th happened, and suddenly, the rules changed. Republican leaders who initially condemned the attack quickly backtracked, realizing that acknowledging the truth might upset their base and their donors. The narrative shifted from calling the rioters criminals to calling them political prisoners. The same people who once demanded that BLM protesters be locked up for vandalizing property were now arguing that breaking into the Capitol, attacking police, and attempting to overturn an election were justifiable acts of patriotism.
Still I had faith, despite Trump saying he would issue pardons, that their were many lawmakers, including JD Vance who said that those who committed violence should not be pardoned. This was before the inaugration, before the executive orders. The next day, these voices were either silent, or backing the president’s actions. It was then I realised the Republican party no longer had any principles, integrity or morals. Just fealty to Trump.
Trump himself has leaned into this double standard, portraying the rioters as heroes while demonizing anyone who dares to hold them accountable. And now, with these pardons, he has made it official: if you commit crimes in his name, the law does not apply to you.
Why These Pardons Are a Slap in the Face to Law Enforcement
As a former police officer, this is the part that infuriates me the most. If you attack a cop, there should be consequences. By consequences I mean you get charged, stand trial, and receive a verdict (guilty or innocent). Period. That was always the rule—until Trump decided it wasn’t. Some of these people even plead guilty and said they would do it again if they had the chance.
I worked with officers who took their jobs seriously, who went to work every day knowing they might not come home. And I also worked with officers who were die-hard Trump supporters, who believed he was the best thing to ever happen to America. I wonder often how they feel now, watching him pardon the very people who assaulted their fellow officers. Some of these rioters even plead guilty and bragged they would do it again. I know I feel complete betrayal whenever I think about it, and I didn’t even live the hardcore “Back the Blue” life.
The worst part? Trump and his allies have spent years downplaying the violence of January 6th, dismissing the injuries sustained by officers as insignificant. The spineless Republican lawmakers in Congress even shrivel up at the thought of placing a memorial to the Capitol and D.C. Police in the capitol. They act like this was just another day at the office, that police didn’t really suffer, that this was all blown out of proportion. But the officers who were there know better. The footage speaks for itself. The medical reports don’t lie. And yet, Republicans—many of whom once championed “Blue Lives Matter”—have chosen to ignore all of it in favor of protecting Trump’s most extreme supporters.
Trump’s Real Motivation: It’s Always About Him
Let’s be real: Trump doesn’t care about these people. He didn’t care about them when they were being arrested. He didn’t care about them when they were sitting in jail. And he certainly didn’t care enough to offer them financial support for their legal battles.
These pardons aren’t about justice or fairness. They’re about securing Trump’s political future. He needs these people. He needs them to believe he’s their savior, that he’s the only one willing to stand up for them. Because if they believe that, they’ll show up for him in 2028. They’ll donate to his campaign. They’ll excuse his complete disregard to constitutional law and authority. They’ll defend him no matter what he does. These people are so far down the rabbit hole, they think the exit is just another conspiracy.
It’s a transactional relationship, and they don’t even realize they’re the ones being used.
A Party Without Principles
The Republican Party used to claim they stood for something, in fact many things. Now, they don’t know what they stand for each day. They stand for nothing but Trump. They abandoned their principles the moment they became inconvenient. They turned on law enforcement the second it was politically beneficial. And they have allowed their leader to rewrite history to justify an insurrection.
These pardons aren’t just about excusing past crimes. They’re about setting a precedent. Trump is sending a message that political violence is acceptable if it serves his interests. And if that doesn’t scare you, it should.
Because if the law only applies to Trump’s enemies, then it’s not really law and order at all. It’s just authoritarianism in a cheap red hat.