January 6, 2021 while congress was certifying our national presidential election, a mob appeared at our nation’s capitol building. They overcame police and entered the building destroying property and seeking to overturn the election.
I cannot let this moment pass without expressing outrage at President Donald Trumps pardon of most all of the January 6 insurrectionists.
It is a bad decision and precedent. It not only undermines the core values of our great nation, but endangers more of our nation’s police as they go about guarding our society.
Police Chief Tom Manger, head of our nation’s capitol police, rightly speaks out. We should, too! This is unacceptable.
CBS Evening News: Capitol Police chief: Jan. 6 pardons send message that “politics is more important than policing”
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said he’s concerned by the sweeping pardons President Trump issued Monday night to those convicted or facing charges of assaulting police officers after the Capitol riot four years ago.
“I think it sends the message that politics is more important than policing,” Manger told “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell on Tuesday.
“I’m concerned for my officers. I’m concerned about what message they get from these actions,” Manger said, adding that it could prompt officers to question why they put themselves in harm’s way.
“My concern is the message that it sends when people who are arrested for committing violence against police officers are not held to account,” he said. “And I worry about the morale of my officers. I worry about just how this impacts them, and I don’t want them handling some protest or making some arrest in the future and scratching their head wondering, ‘Well, I wonder what’s going to happen with this case?'”
Improving Police: A Necessary Conversation 