As it became clear Donald Trump was returning to the White House, the Florida man who posed for photos with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern during the Capitol riot popped a bottle of Trump-branded sparkling wine. "Y'all are in trouble," he said after taking a sip in a video shared on social media. Rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan.
6, 2021, are celebrating Trump's victory and hoping he makes good on his campaign trail promise to pardon them. Trump didn't mention the Jan. 6 defendants, whom he has called "hostages" and "patriots," during his victory speech on Wednesday.
But his defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris throws into doubt the future of the largest prosecution in Justice Department history over the unprecedented assault on a seat of American democracy. More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured and sent lawmakers running into hiding as they met to certify Joe Biden's 2020 victory. More than 1,000 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial of charges, including misdemeanor trespassing offenses, assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy.
Trump's praise of Jan. 6 defendants was a centerpiece of his campaign, with rallies honoring them as heroes featuring a song he collaborated on with a group of jailed rioters. Trump hasn't explained how he will decide who gets pardoned.
But he has suggested he would consider granting them even for those accu.
