Mike Johnson says he won't 'second-guess' Trump pardons for Jan. 6 rioters
Speaker Mike Johnson said he doesn't question Trump's decision to pardon more than thousand people convicted in connection to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including some violent offenders.
"The president's made his decision, I don't second guess those," Johnson said at a news conference alongside House Republican leadership.
![President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, his wife Kelly Johnson, after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/15825990_trump-johnson-img.jpg)
"And yes, you know, it's kind of my ethos, my worldview, we believe in redemption, we believe in second chances," Johnson said. "If you could -- would argue that those people didn't pay a heavy penalty having been incarcerated and all of that, that's up to you."
Other Republicans had mixed reactions to the news when asked by ABC News on Tuesday. Some claimed they'd "never" seen video of rioters attacking police. Others said Trump's move was something they "just can't agree" with.