Kansas Senator Patrick Schmidt, D-Topeka, has joined four other senators in introducing a resolution strongly condemning former President Donald Trump’s pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters convicted of violent crimes.
The resolution comes after Trump, on January 20, granted clemency to 14 individuals convicted of serious offenses tied to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump also issued a blanket pardon to others convicted of lower-level crimes related to the incident.
Although Trump didn’t specify why these 14 individuals were chosen for clemency, they had received some of the harshest sentences and faced the most severe charges. Meanwhile, nearly 1,500 other individuals received pardons for lower-level offenses, and pending charges against many others were dismissed. Among those who benefited was Topeka resident Will Pope, whose charges were dropped.
A Symbolic Stance Against Violence
The resolution introduced by Senator Schmidt and co-sponsored by Senators Marci Francisco, David Haley, Cindy Holscher, and Pat Pettey, all Democrats, is nonbinding. Its primary purpose is to send a clear message.
The resolution emphasizes Kansas’s strong stance on protecting law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to ensure public safety. It highlights the state’s commitment to criminalizing violence against law enforcement and imposing stricter sentences on offenders.
“It’s important that we show support for law enforcement officers across Kansas,” the resolution states. “We condemn the pardoning of individuals who commit violence against officers and believe they should be held accountable for their actions.”
Political Divide
Despite the strong statement, the resolution faces significant challenges in gaining traction. With Republicans holding a supermajority in the Kansas legislature and Trump securing 57% of the state’s vote in the 2024 presidential election, the resolution is unlikely to pass. Republican leaders in the state continue to align with Trump’s policies.
However, Schmidt remains hopeful that the issue transcends partisan lines. “This shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” he said. “These are people who stole officers’ weapons, used tasers on law enforcement, and brought firearms to the Capitol. Nearly 200 individuals carried guns during the riot.”
Following Schmidt’s announcement, Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, also signed on as a co-sponsor, and Schmidt expects more lawmakers to join in support.
Kansans and Jan. 6 Charges
According to KCUR, ten Kansas residents were charged for their involvement in the January 6 riots. Six of them avoided prison, receiving fines and parole sentences of up to two years.
One Kansas resident, Michael Eckerman of Wichita, pleaded guilty to felony assault, a violent crime. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. Despite his conviction, Eckerman later told a Wichita news station that he was unarmed and did not assault an officer.
Two other Kansans charged in connection with the riots were members of the Proud Boys, a group instrumental in breaching the Capitol. Ryan Ashlock, from Lenexa, and William Chrestman, from Olathe, were part of the Kansas City Proud Boys chapter, according to the Kansas City Star.
Sending a Message
While the resolution may not have the numbers to pass, it underscores the growing concern over pardons for individuals involved in violence against law enforcement. It also reflects a broader national debate over accountability, public safety, and the balance of justice in high-profile cases like the January 6 riots.
For Schmidt and other supporters of the resolution, it’s about standing firm on the principle that violent offenders must face consequences, regardless of political affiliation.
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