House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended President Donald Trump’s decision to issue a blanket pardon for hundreds of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Johnson affirmed Trump’s authority to pardon the more than 1,600 individuals, including over 600 charged with assaulting or interfering with law enforcement.

“Everybody can describe this however they want. The president has the pardon and commutation authority. It’s his decision,” Johnson said in response to a question from CNN reporter Manu Raju.

Raju had pressed Johnson on how Republicans could maintain their “back the blue” stance while supporting a decision to erase the criminal records of individuals who assaulted police officers during the Capitol riot.

Johnson’s remarks marked a noticeable shift from his earlier statements regarding the events of January 6.

On Sunday, he expressed opposition to pardons for individuals who committed violent acts, saying he did not expect Trump to include such rioters in the pardons.

Johnson had previously taken a firm stance against the violence, writing on January 6, 2021: “Any individual who committed violence today should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

I unambiguously condemn in the strongest possible terms any and all forms of violent protest. Any individual who committed violence today should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (1/2)

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 6, 2021

However, during Wednesday’s press conference, Johnson suggested that the riot was mischaracterized, portraying parts of the event as peaceful protest.

“I think what was made clear all along is that peaceful protests and people who engage in that should never be punished,” he said.

Acknowledging the controversy surrounding the pardons, Johnson referenced the concept of redemption and second chances.

“We believe in redemption. We believe in second chances,” Johnson said.

He also noted that many individuals had already endured a “heavy penalty” through their time in prison and expressed optimism for their future conduct.

“We’re not looking backwards. We’re looking forward,” Johnson added, emphasizing the need to focus on what he described as “better days ahead.”

Johnson also reiterated a common Republican criticism of the Justice Department, accusing it of being “weaponized” in its handling of cases related to both the Capitol rioters and Trump.

Speaker Johnson’s response when asked by @mkraju at the House GOP press conference about Trump’s pardon of Jan. 6 protesters:

“Everybody can describe this however they want, the president has the pardon and commutation authority, it’s his decision, and I think what was made…

— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) January 22, 2025

This language aligns with Republican rhetoric that frames legal actions against Trump and his supporters as politically motivated.

The blanket pardon issued by Trump has reignited debates over accountability for the Capitol riot.

The decision covers more than 1,600 individuals, many of whom faced charges ranging from entering restricted areas to assaulting police officers.

Trump himself faced charges for his role in the January 6 events, but those charges were dropped following his reelection in November.

Johnson’s defense of the pardons reflects the broader Republican effort to shift the narrative surrounding January 6.

While some Republicans continue to call for accountability for the violence, others, including Johnson, appear to be aligning with Trump’s approach to the issue.

The controversy underscores lingering divisions over how the events of January 6 should be remembered and addressed in the future.