Convicts from the January 6 Capitol riot are brimming with hope for freedom as Donald Trump's inauguration nears, with promises of presidential pardons.
A flash of light flickers from a jail window, answered by cheers from the crowd gathered outside. This nightly tradition at the Central Detention Facility in Washington, D.C., has become a symbol of solidarity. As darkness falls, inmates flash their lights as a signal to the supporters waiting on the sidewalk below.
On January 5, despite the bitter cold, about 20 people gathered outside the jail, anticipating the fourth anniversary of the Capitol riot. The event marked a moment when thousands stormed the U.S. Capitol, attempting to overturn the 2020 election results that had declared Joe Biden the winner over Republican candidate Donald Trump.
For nearly 900 days, supporters have regularly demonstrated outside the facility, rallying for those convicted of participating in the riot. With Trump’s stunning electoral victory last November, morale among the inmates has soared.
Trump's second term begins in just two weeks, and he has pledged to pardon those convicted for their actions at the Capitol four years ago.
"The energy here tonight is absolutely incredible," said Dominic Box, an inmate convicted of trespassing and disorderly conduct during the Capitol riot. Speaking through a call amplified to the crowd, Box expressed optimism about Trump's upcoming inauguration.
"We are expecting the pardons to start rolling in, possibly as soon as this weekend," Box declared. "Many of us, myself included, have already started packing up our belongings. We’re ready to walk out of these prison gates."
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1,583 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack, facing accusations ranging from assaulting law enforcement to using deadly weapons.
Granting pardons to these individuals will likely be among Trump's first acts as president, analysts predict. Trump has repeatedly called the 2020 election "stolen" without evidence and has been charged in Georgia and Washington, D.C., for allegedly orchestrating efforts to overturn the results.
Trump has consistently described the Capitol riot convicts as "political prisoners" and "hostages," pledging to review their cases "within the first hour" of his return to the White House.
The contrasting narratives surrounding January 6 have highlighted deep divisions in the U.S. Trump supporters view the event as a peaceful protest, while Democrats emphasize the violence of the attack during Congress’s certification of the 2020 election.
President Joe Biden recently condemned efforts to recast the riot as an act of patriotism, reiterating that it represented a "genuine threat to democracy." In a Washington Post op-ed, he criticized attempts to downplay the severity of the events.
"A continuous effort has been made to rewrite or even erase the history of that day, portraying it as a peaceful protest gone awry. That’s not what happened," Biden wrote.
Some conservative organizations have also opposed efforts to diminish the riot’s gravity. The Federalist Society, a group of conservative lawyers and judges, condemned Trump’s pardon promises as undermining the rule of law.
Trump’s vow to pardon the rioters resonates deeply with his loyal base. Many supporters claim law enforcement entrapped the rioters or that isolated incidents of violence were unfairly used to tarnish all attendees.
For inmates like Box, the January 6 events were an expression of free speech protected under the First Amendment.
"We did nothing but engage in constitutionally protected activities to voice our grievances and concerns about an election we believe was stolen in 2020," Box asserted.
Other rioters, including Brandon Fellows, have similarly held onto the hope of pardon. Fellows, who entered the Capitol through a broken window and smoked marijuana in Senator Jeff Merkley’s office, attended the January 5 rally outside the jail wearing a MAGA hat, signaling his continued support for Trump.
"I just hope Trump pardons me so I can leave D.C. and rebuild my life," Fellows said, expressing his desire to resume his chimney-cleaning business.
The nightly vigils were initiated by Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by police while attempting to breach the Capitol. Nicole Reffitt, whose husband Guy Reffitt was the first rioter convicted in 2022, has been a prominent organizer since relocating to Washington from Texas.
Guy Reffitt was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for obstructing an official proceeding and carrying a firearm into the Capitol. Videos from January 6 showed him threatening to decapitate then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Nicole Reffitt, hopeful for a pardon, believes her husband’s case was politically motivated. She and fellow demonstrators maintain a countdown calendar to Trump’s inauguration, energized by the belief that relief is imminent.
(According to Al Jazeera, AFP, Reuters)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
