In a scathing address during a hearing of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin delivered a powerful critique of former President Donald Trump’s controversial mass pardon of 1,500 individuals involved in the violent January 6th Capitol insurrection.

Raskin’s remarks, which centered on Trump’s decision to release individuals convicted of attacking police officers and undermining the rule of law, were both impassioned and pointed.

“The chairman began by saying that the point here is to restore the rule of law… restore the rule of law… Can you even pretend to do that if you stand by and support Donald Trump who on day one—as the chairman of the committee just said—day one of his presidency, pardoned fifteen hundred insurrectionists including hundreds of people who violently assaulted and attacked American police officers?” Raskin declared.

Highlighting the case of Julian Khater, who was convicted for violently assaulting Officer Brian Sicknick, Raskin emphasized the gravity of the pardons. “Let’s just take one person who is free today, Julian Khater, who had been convicted after having every due process protection… Most of this was videotaped so the whole world could see it,” he stated.

Raskin recounted how Officer Sicknick, who was protecting Congress during the attack, suffered multiple strokes and tragically died the day after the insurrection. “The family of Officer Sicknick is absolutely devastated and demolished by what’s just happened,” Raskin said, adding that the pardons have compounded the trauma for victims and their families.

In a chilling reminder of the events of January 6th, Raskin invited his colleagues, particularly newer committee members, to reflect on the chaos and violence of that day. “I invite any of my colleagues… who maybe weren’t here on January 6th and didn’t experience the trauma of that violent insurrection when we saw a mob marauding through here yelling ‘Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence!’ and looking to assassinate Nancy Pelosi.”

Raskin then questioned the rationale behind Trump’s actions, calling out the dangers posed by pardoning individuals convicted of violent crimes. “And now you have the temerity to come forward and say this is about public safety? How much safer are we now with these fifteen hundred criminals at large in Washington D.C. and going out into the country?” he asked.

The congressman didn’t hold back in his condemnation of Trump’s motivations, arguing that the pardons were purely partisan. “He released these criminals because they support him. He doesn’t care that they attacked police officers. He doesn’t care that they might do it again. All that matters is that they’re in his MAGA cult.”

Raskin’s fiery remarks have reignited debate over the consequences of Trump’s mass pardons and their impact on public safety, law enforcement morale, and the rule of law. The hearing underscored the deep political and ethical divide over accountability for the January 6th insurrection and its lasting implications for American democracy.