I Don’t Ever Want To Hear About Law and Order Again’: Democrat Rips Trump’s Riot Pardons in Fiery House Speech

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) strongly criticized Republicans on Wednesday following President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon approximately 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot, including those who assaulted police officers.

While signing the pardons shortly after his inauguration on Monday, Trump described the move, saying, “Approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon.” The decision has placed Republicans in a difficult position, as the party has traditionally emphasized its commitment to “law and order.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), in a press conference, tried to defend the decision by saying, “We believe in redemption,” but also pledged to review pardons granted by former President Joe Biden.

On the House floor, McGovern condemned Johnson and the GOP for their support of the pardons. He expressed outrage, stating, “I feel compelled to focus on this majority’s screwed-up priorities, which now include handing a get-out-of-jail-free card to KKK members, Proud Boys, and other criminals who violently beat cops within an inch of their lives on January 6, 2021.” McGovern criticized the party for abandoning its focus on issues like the cost of living and immigration to support the pardons.

“These pardons are sick. They are offensive. They are un-American,” McGovern continued. “I don’t ever want to hear about law and order from your side again, Mr. Speaker, when your side is letting criminals back on the streets – criminals who beat cops and tried to overthrow our government. Fifteen hundred criminals, including over 600 charged with violently assaulting police officers. And I’m here to talk about that because I think it’s disgusting. I think it’s a disgrace.”

McGovern also reflected on the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the Capitol, endangering police officers and lawmakers. He directly confronted Republicans, asking, “Mr. Speaker, how the hell do you guys walk into this place every day? How do you look the police officers in the eye? How do you do it, knowing the people who tried to kill them will walk free thanks to Donald Trump?”