Portrait of JD Vance
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JD Vance on January 6th

Conditional pardon supporter (strong)

JD Vance's position on the January 6th event and its participants has centered on the issue of pardons following the event, often drawing attention for his evolving statements.

Initially, as Vice President-elect, Vance stated clearly that those who committed violence during the Capitol attack "obviously" should not be pardoned, though he advocated for pardons for those who "protested peacefully". This position was made in the context of President Trump promising clemency for many involved in trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

Following Trump's blanket clemency order for nearly 1,600 people in January 2025, which included violent offenders, Vance defended the action by citing a perceived "massive denial of due process of liberty" in the prosecutions. He later sought to clarify his earlier distinction by saying that Trump would weigh all convictions individually, including those who got a "garbage trial," indicating that the line between violent and non-violent offenses could be blurred for pardon consideration.

Context

JD Vance's views on January 6th are highly relevant as he served as Donald Trump's running mate in 2024 and became Vice President, an administration whose platform has included support for pardoning those convicted for their role in the attack. His past statements on the role of the Vice President during the electoral count also directly relate to the events that preceded the January 6 riot.

Vance has also taken aim at the congressional investigation into the January 6 attack, characterizing it as "the real assault on Democracy" and advocating for a strong partisan pushback against it.

Timeline

  1. JD Vance downplayed the seriousness of the Jan. 6 attack during the vice presidential debate and refused to state whether he would challenge the 2024 election results, instead defending Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election.
  2. As Vice President-elect, Vance stated that only those who "protested peacefully" on January 6 should be pardoned, explicitly excluding those who committed violence.
  3. In an interview, Vance reiterated that violent participants in the Jan. 6 attack "obviously" should not be pardoned, but later sought to clarify that Trump would weigh all convictions individually, including those with "garbage trial[s]."
  4. President Trump issued blanket clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol attack, including many convicted of violent offenses.
  5. As Vice President, Vance defended the mass pardons, arguing that the Justice Department under Merrick Garland applied "double standards" and that the pardon rectified a wrong, while still asserting that violence against police is "not justified."

Criticism

Nicholas Fuentes

Reacted angrily to Vance's initial comments distinguishing between violent and peaceful protestors, suggesting that if Trump received leniency, so should all his supporters from January 6th.

Luke Lints (Jan 6 defendant)

Expressed being "absolutely emotionally distraught" after Vance stated violent offenders should not be pardoned.

Alex Floyd (DNC Rapid Response Director)

Accused Vance of repeatedly whitewashing the violence of January 6 and pandering to far-right extremists by associating with groups that sponsored Jan. 6 rallies.