Former Jan. 6 prosecutor fears Trump pardons could encourage more violence

Apnews - Apr 28th, 2025
Open on Apnews

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued pardons to over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack, leading to significant upheaval in the Department of Justice. Michael Romano, a longtime DOJ employee and supervisor on the Capitol riot prosecution team, resigned in protest, citing the untenable nature of staying post-pardons. Romano expressed concerns that pardoning violent rioters could embolden right-wing extremists and incite future political violence. The pardons contradicted the position of Trump's former vice president, who opposed pardoning the rioters.

Trump's actions have sparked a wave of resignations within the DOJ and are seen as part of a broader effort to rewrite the narrative of the January 6 events. The pardons included far-right extremist leaders and individuals convicted of attacking police officers, actions that were documented and broadcast live. Romano emphasized the importance of preserving the historical record of the January 6 attack against attempts to downplay or distort its reality. The pardons have raised significant questions about justice, accountability, and the potential for increased political violence in the future.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant account of Michael Romano's resignation from the Justice Department and his concerns about Trump's pardons for January 6 defendants. It effectively highlights the potential implications of these pardons for political violence and justice. However, the article would benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and additional expert analysis to enhance its depth and impact. The presence of unrelated advertisements and technical code snippets detracts from the overall readability, but the clear language and logical structure make the main points accessible to readers. Overall, the article addresses a significant public interest topic with potential to influence public opinion, though its impact may be limited by the lack of diverse viewpoints.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports Michael Romano's resignation and his concerns about the implications of Trump's pardons for January 6 defendants. It aligns with existing reports that Trump's pardons were announced on his return to the White House and that they covered individuals involved in the Capitol attack. However, the story's claim that these pardons could embolden right-wing extremists is speculative and would benefit from additional evidence or expert opinions. The article accurately notes the historical context of the January 6 attack and Trump's controversial stance on the event.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents Michael Romano's perspective, focusing on his resignation and concerns about Trump's pardons. While it provides a detailed account of Romano's views, it lacks counterpoints or perspectives from supporters of the pardons or legal experts who might argue in favor of Trump's decision. This imbalance could lead readers to perceive the article as leaning towards a particular viewpoint without adequately exploring opposing views or the broader context of the pardons.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Michael Romano's resignation, his concerns about the pardons, and the broader context of the January 6 attack. The language is straightforward, and the structure is easy to follow. However, the inclusion of unrelated advertisements and technical code snippets disrupts the reading experience and could confuse readers about the focus of the article.

8
Source quality

The primary source of the article is Michael Romano, a former Justice Department official with direct experience in prosecuting January 6 defendants. His insights lend credibility to the story. However, the article would benefit from additional sources, such as legal experts or political analysts, to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation. The reliance on a single primary source limits the depth of analysis and the understanding of the broader implications of the pardons.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent about its main source, Michael Romano, and his background, which adds credibility to his statements. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to assess the potential impact of the pardons on political violence. Providing more context about how Romano's concerns are supported by evidence or expert analysis would enhance the article's transparency and help readers understand the basis for his claims.

Sources

  1. http://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/president-trumps-pardons-stick-taxpayers-bill-january-6-attack-oversight
  2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon_of_January_6_United_States_Capitol_attack_defendants
  4. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-january-6-insurrectionists-should-have-never-been-pardoned-by-president-trump
  5. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/02/appeals-court-trump-pardon-plainly-did-not-cover-jan-6-defendants-unrelated-crimes-00267770