Trump Vows to Pardon January 6 Defendants — Calls Them 'Hostages' (2022-01 to 2024)

Trump repeatedly calls January 6 defendants 'hostages,' 'political prisoners,' and 'great, great patriots.' He vows to pardon them on 'day one' of a second term. The rhetoric escalates over time, with Trump recording a song with J6 prisoners and featuring them at campaign events. By 2024, the 'hostage' narrative is a central campaign theme. After taking office in 2025, Trump pardons or commutes sentences for nearly all 1,500+ January 6 defendants.