President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval...

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office on Monday. Credit: AP/Evan Vucci

President Donald Trump touts himself as a president of peace but pardoned those who engaged in violent protests that resulted in death and injury to the Capitol police on Jan. 6 “Use of pardons is unforgivable,” Editorial, Jan. 23]. Most were already convicted in a court of law. They acted on a lie about Trump losing the election. Were Trump not elected president, he would be tried for his part in this horrible attack on our democracy.

I guess it’s hard to expect any other message from a convicted felon, but his position as president makes that message too powerful. Don’t we have enough violence in this country without giving license to this worst part of human behavior?

— Linda Durnan, Wading River

For anyone who still thinks the Republican Party is the “party of law and order,” think again.

Despite occasional campaign statements promising to evaluate each case on its merits, Donald Trump wasted no time rewarding those who tried to stop the lawful certification of a free and fair election and who destroyed property and assaulted police officers.

— Maryellen Viola, Massapequa Park

This only encourages groups like the Proud Boys to sow violence against innocent people, not just immigrants who entered the country without legal permission. If you are a member of any minority, a Democrat, a liberal, or a left-leaning independent, Donald Trump has just unleashed an organized hate campaign against you.

— John Bosco, Levittown

With a stroke of a pen, Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 rioters, the same people who tried to disrupt the constitutional transfer of power by violently assaulting police officers. Over 100 officers were injured and many still experience mental issues.

Trump called this “a day of love.” By his actions, he has told the American public that such actions will now be acceptable.

— Andrew Sharp, Commack

How is this making America great? Is this the new rule of law?

— Cheryl Schneekloth, Plainview

Some 250 children, women and men were dragged by Hamas from Israel to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, and held captive — or worse, tortured and/or killed. These are hostages, unlike one of the more than 1,200 right-wingers who stormed the Capitol, threatened elected officials and were convicted of crimes. They are not “hostages.” Each one is a “criminal.”

What an insulting and horrific shame that this president does not know the difference.

— Josh Kardisch, East Meadow

Ironically, the inauguration occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King always taught and stated a need for peaceful protest and nonviolence. Within 24 hours of taking office, Donald Trump granted pardons to all those who violently stormed the Capitol. Apparently, he doesn’t think convictions for assault on police officers should be upheld.

Jan. 6 should not have been called “a day of love” by Trump but a “day of violence” and a “dark day for America.”

— Carol Krupinski Plainview

I am disgusted by Donald Trump pardoning his J6 militia. As a grandson who never knew my grandfather because he was a police officer killed in the line of duty before my birth, I must say that Trump lost what little respect I may have had for him before his first day in office was done. God help us all.

— Frank Setteducati, Bridgehampton

As a former NYPD detective, I’m amazed that Donald Trump is in a big hurry to deport violent immigrants yet even more quickly he pardons or commutes the sentences of violent criminals who attacked the Capitol and assaulted police officers.

— Bob Horsham, Ridge

With zero reviews and little thought, Donald Trump has pardoned criminals who assaulted law enforcement officers, destroyed our Capitol property, defecated inside the building, threatened the lives of elected officials, and committed numerous other crimes so they are free to walk the streets and, possibly, do it all over again. We now know what to expect in the next four years.

— Gregory Seferian, Huntington

We should no longer hear from Donald Trump’s supporters saying that they “back the blue.” We also should not hear complaints that those accused of violent crimes are let out on bail inappropriately and are a danger to the community.

Any continued support of Trump would be hypocrisy on full display.

— Mary Murphy, Syosset

This is an affront to every law enforcement officer in the United States.

— Carl Fusoni, Dix Hills

Look at preemptive pardons by Biden

Former President Joe Biden told everyone he won’t pardon his son, and he does. Then he commutes sentences of nearly 2,500 convicts. Finally, less than 20 minutes before his presidency ends, he preemptively pardons five relatives, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Jan. 6 committee members [“Biden issues pardons to foil Trump ‘revenge,’ ” Inauguration 2025, Jan. 21]. Biden already had poor ratings and a tarnished reputation, so why should he care?

President Donald Trump fulfills his Jan. 6 pardon campaign promise, and he gets criticized by some with no mention of all of Biden’s pardons.

— Roger Rothman, Commack

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