In his remarks, Durbin spoke about the dangerous misconduct and criminal records of pardoned insurrectionists
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered remarks on the Senate floor detailing the crimes that January 6th insurrectionists have been charged with since President Trump’s reckless decision to pardon them for their crimes committed during the storming of the U.S. Capitol, including the violent assault on law enforcement officers. The events of that day resulted in the death of five law enforcement officers and the injury of more than 140 others. Durbin began his speech by recounting his own experience on January 6, 2021, as Congress had convened to certify the 2020 election.
“The President made these statements during the course of his campaign, but it still came as something of a shock, when on the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump decided to issue a blanket pardon for those who had been convicted for the January 6 riot that took place in this building,” Durbin began. “For those of us who were physically present, it’s a moment we’ll never forget. The Vice President of the United States was sitting in your chair, presiding over the United States Senate as we addressed the constitutional responsibility of counting the electoral votes. It was roughly ten minutes after 2:00 in the afternoon when someone came along in a suit, walked up to the Vice President of the United States, grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him off of the chair.”
“The Capitol of the United States of America taken over by demonstrators. The United States Senate and House of Representatives stopped in progress of doing their constitutional responsibility of counting the electoral votes. And we’ve seen the videotapes. There are plenty of them that show these mob demonstrators breaking the windows to get into the Capitol building, knocking down the doors, and then beating up on the police officers,” Durbin said.
“They [law enforcement officers] were beaten up by these mobsters, these thugs, these demonstrators, who were egged on by the President of the United States to come up and go wild in the United States Capitol. They went wild, spraying bear spray into the face of individual policemen, beating up on them with poles and pieces of furniture,” Durbin said.
Durbin went on to denounce President Trump’s decision to issue sweeping pardons for those on trial or convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection.
“Then came the President of the United States on his first day in office, and what did he do? He decided that every single person arrested for a crime related to January 6 should be released with a full and unconditional pardon. That’s what he did,” Durbin said.
Durbin continued on, explaining that there has been a flood of stories related to the disturbing criminal history and new crimes committed by insurrectionists since President Trump has issued his pardon.
“In the three weeks that have passed since the President made that decision, there’s some interesting stories… Emily Hernandez pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds in relation to her actions at the Capitol on January 6. Ms. Hernandez was seen holding a stolen, broken name plate of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She served 30 days in federal prison and was released. Days after being pardoned by President Trump, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for a 2022 deadly drunk driving crash in Missouri during which she collided with a couple, Victoria and Ryan Wilson, who just left dinner celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. Victoria died in the crash, and Ryan sustained serious injuries,” Durbin said.
“Then there’s Daniel Ball, arrested for throwing an explosive device that detonated on at least 25 officers and forcefully shoving police at the Capitol on January 6. Daniel Ball was in possession of a gun and ammunition upon his arrest, which was illegal considering his criminal background. The Department of Justice dismissed Ball’s charges following President Trump’s pardon,” Durbin said.
Durbin spoke then spoke about Guy Reffitt, the first defendant to stand trial on charges related to the January 6 insurrection. Just weeks after his pardon, Reffitt returned to the Capitol to support Kash Patel, who has been nominated to serve as FBI Director despite a troubling record of peddling conspiracy theories about January 6 and whistleblower reports that he was personally involved in the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI.
“Guy Reffitt…was sentenced to 87 months in prison for bringing a firearm to the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Reffitt’s 19-year-old son, Jackson, turned him into law enforcement after the attack. Jackson also indicated that Reffitt had threatened to shoot him and his sister, Peyton, if they reported him to authorities,” Durbin said.
“After receiving a pardon from President Trump, Guy Reffitt attended Kash Patel’s Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing. Kash Patel is President Trump’s nominee to be the Director and head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Reffitt attended that committee nomination [hearing]. Here’s what he posted on social media afterward… ‘Present and in support of @KashPatel as the leftist commies continue to spew lies, misinformation and disinformation. My man Klean House Kash…!!!’” Durbin quoted Reffitt.
“He certainly seems like he learned his lesson, right? Served time in jail, released with a pardon by the President. He’s at it again, defying the authorities, defying anyone who disagrees with him politically. Full, unconditional pardon from Donald Trump,” Durbin concluded his remarks.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
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