Trump to look 'very favourably' on pardons for Capitol rioters

Former US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was giving financial help to some supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, assault on Congress and would look very favourably on giving pardons if he were again elected to the White House.

Thousands of Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol after a fiery speech in which he repeated his false claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud, an allegation repeatedly rejected by multiple courts, state election officials and members of Trump's own administration.

"I will look very, very favourably about, about full pardons. If I decide to run and if I win, I will, I will be looking very, very strongly about pardons, full pardons," Trump, who is considering a new run for president in 2024, told radio host Wendy Bell.

The onslaught on Congress, aimed at preventing certification of Democratic candidate Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 presidential election, led to several deaths and injured more than 140 police officers.

Around 850 people have been arrested for crimes related to the attack, including more than 250 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Several members of the right-wing group, the Oath Keepers, were charged with seditious conspiracy.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the events of January 6 and said on Thursday he was providing help for some of those involved.

"I am financially supporting people that are incredible and they were in my office actually two days ago. It's very much on my mind. It's a disgrace what they've done to them," he said.

More from International

  • US military to begin Iran maritime blockade on Monday

    The US Central Command said it will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT), after President Donald Trump said the US Navy would start ​blockading the Strait of Hormuz.

  • Hungary's Orban concedes landmark election defeat

    Hungary's veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orban conceded defeat on Sunday after a landslide election victory by the upstart opposition Tisza party, in a setback for his allies in Russia and US President Donald Trump's White House.

  • Trump vows to blockade Strait of Hormuz after Iran peace talks stumble

    President Donald Trump said on Sunday the US Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes after marathon talks with Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war, jeopardising a fragile two-week ceasefire.

  • Nigerian airstrike hits market, 200 feared dead

    At least 200 people are feared dead after Nigerian military jets struck a village market while pursuing rebels in the northeast of the country on Saturday night, a councillor for the area and residents said on Sunday.

  • Russia, Ukraine trade accusations of ceasefire violations

    Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Sunday of breaching the 32-hour ceasefire in their four-year war, reporting more than a thousand drone and shelling attacks just hours after the truce began on Saturday to mark Orthodox Easter.