Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioter to clear federal firearms charges
- - Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioter to clear federal firearms charges
Erin Mansfield, USA TODAYNovember 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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Donald Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioter to clear federal firearms charges
President Donald Trump issued a "full and unconditional" pardon to a Kentucky man who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy for his actions on the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and to unrelated federal firearms charges.
Trump quietly issued the pardon Nov. 14, according to multiple reports. The Justice Department has not announced the pardon on its website as of Nov. 15.
Dan Wilson was sentenced in 2024 to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution for his actions related to the Capitol attack. The Justice Department said Wilson began planning for the attack in the winter of 2020, and on Dec. 27, 2020 wrote, "I am ready to lay my life on the line. It is time for good men to do bad things."
President Donald Trump has issued numerous pardons including for some notable people and high-profile cases since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>President Donald Trump has issued numerous pardons including for some notable people and high-profile cases since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dIO5a7CVpE7grgCjAeZGaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4525072c189e9f8ca10c792c547511bc class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
President Donald Trump has issued numerous pardons including for some notable people and high-profile cases since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.
">President Donald Trump has issued numerous pardons including for some notable people and high-profile cases since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dIO5a7CVpE7grgCjAeZGaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4525072c189e9f8ca10c792c547511bc class=caas-img>Rudy GiulianiTrump pardoned his former personal attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations alleging interference in the 2020 election.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Rudy GiulianiTrump pardoned his former personal attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations alleging interference in the 2020 election.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8dkXi2lJRZYmJtj4N8AyYg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dde140cfb88927ff0696ad9c5a2e59c2 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Rudy GiulianiTrump pardoned his former personal attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations alleging interference in the 2020 election.
">Rudy GiulianiTrump pardoned his former personal attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations alleging interference in the 2020 election.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8dkXi2lJRZYmJtj4N8AyYg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dde140cfb88927ff0696ad9c5a2e59c2 class=caas-img>Darryl Strawberry Trump pardoned New York baseball legend and former "Celebrity Apprentice" cast member Darryl Strawberry, who was convicted of tax evasion and was among several people pardoned in November 2025.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Darryl Strawberry Trump pardoned New York baseball legend and former "Celebrity Apprentice" cast member Darryl Strawberry, who was convicted of tax evasion and was among several people pardoned in November 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DYZV55MkqKcBtOJRU_H1mg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d3e8996428b54312641cb1835a9d18ca class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Darryl Strawberry Trump pardoned New York baseball legend and former "Celebrity Apprentice" cast member Darryl Strawberry, who was convicted of tax evasion and was among several people pardoned in November 2025.
">Darryl Strawberry Trump pardoned New York baseball legend and former "Celebrity Apprentice" cast member Darryl Strawberry, who was convicted of tax evasion and was among several people pardoned in November 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DYZV55MkqKcBtOJRU_H1mg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d3e8996428b54312641cb1835a9d18ca class=caas-img>Binance CEO Changpeng ZhaoPresident Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange. The company helped boost Trump’s fortunes by promoting his family’s own crypto product, a digital coin known as USD1.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Binance CEO Changpeng ZhaoPresident Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange. The company helped boost Trump’s fortunes by promoting his family’s own crypto product, a digital coin known as USD1.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eUNhDoMCuio7GK.zd_o1BA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cb2c59c17634aab7ee806df332b97587 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Binance CEO Changpeng ZhaoPresident Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange. The company helped boost Trump’s fortunes by promoting his family’s own crypto product, a digital coin known as USD1.
">Binance CEO Changpeng ZhaoPresident Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange. The company helped boost Trump’s fortunes by promoting his family’s own crypto product, a digital coin known as USD1.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eUNhDoMCuio7GK.zd_o1BA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cb2c59c17634aab7ee806df332b97587 class=caas-img>NBA YoungBoyTrump pardoned NBA YoungBoy, a Louisiana-born rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden. He was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges. Trump announced his pardon along with others, including former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, on May 28, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>NBA YoungBoyTrump pardoned NBA YoungBoy, a Louisiana-born rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden. He was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges. Trump announced his pardon along with others, including former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, on May 28, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/flZ.N3E3.vm6tz41mjBysA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73c66e14f04e6418f3020132d74dca34 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
NBA YoungBoyTrump pardoned NBA YoungBoy, a Louisiana-born rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden. He was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges. Trump announced his pardon along with others, including former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, on May 28, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY.
">NBA YoungBoyTrump pardoned NBA YoungBoy, a Louisiana-born rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden. He was serving a 23-month sentence for federal gun charges. Trump announced his pardon along with others, including former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, on May 28, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/flZ.N3E3.vm6tz41mjBysA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73c66e14f04e6418f3020132d74dca34 class=caas-img>Julie Chrisley & Todd ChrisleyThe Chrisleys, who were depicted on a USA Network reality show as real estate tycoons in the South, were found guilty in June 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans, defraud the IRS and commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence. Their show ended when they began their respective sentences in January 2023.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Julie Chrisley & Todd ChrisleyThe Chrisleys, who were depicted on a USA Network reality show as real estate tycoons in the South, were found guilty in June 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans, defraud the IRS and commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence. Their show ended when they began their respective sentences in January 2023.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M6KZ37SblrIzfQY2uEOQTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fa79827d7bcfbea68f7905f4a2790495 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Julie Chrisley & Todd ChrisleyThe Chrisleys, who were depicted on a USA Network reality show as real estate tycoons in the South, were found guilty in June 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans, defraud the IRS and commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence. Their show ended when they began their respective sentences in January 2023.
">Julie Chrisley & Todd ChrisleyThe Chrisleys, who were depicted on a USA Network reality show as real estate tycoons in the South, were found guilty in June 2022 of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans, defraud the IRS and commit tax evasion. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud.
Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Julie Chrisley received a seven-year sentence. Their show ended when they began their respective sentences in January 2023.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M6KZ37SblrIzfQY2uEOQTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fa79827d7bcfbea68f7905f4a2790495 class=caas-img>George SantosTrump commuted former Rep. George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence, releasing him from jail on Oct. 17.
Santos, a 37-year-old Republican from New York, began a seven-year prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea, he admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, charging donors’ credit cards without authorization and fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, among other acts that began years before he ran for Congress in 2022. Santos was also ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution to his victims, but he will no longer have to under the terms of the commutation posted on X by Ed Martin, the U.S. attorney.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>George SantosTrump commuted former Rep. George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence, releasing him from jail on Oct. 17.
Santos, a 37-year-old Republican from New York, began a seven-year prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea, he admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, charging donors’ credit cards without authorization and fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, among other acts that began years before he ran for Congress in 2022. Santos was also ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution to his victims, but he will no longer have to under the terms of the commutation posted on X by Ed Martin, the U.S. attorney.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HxnOA84NUT7QT1rnx14TMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c57242aed13cc35d36115ef7bbbdc225 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
George SantosTrump commuted former Rep. George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence, releasing him from jail on Oct. 17.
Santos, a 37-year-old Republican from New York, began a seven-year prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea, he admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, charging donors’ credit cards without authorization and fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, among other acts that began years before he ran for Congress in 2022. Santos was also ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution to his victims, but he will no longer have to under the terms of the commutation posted on X by Ed Martin, the U.S. attorney.
">George SantosTrump commuted former Rep. George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence, releasing him from jail on Oct. 17.
Santos, a 37-year-old Republican from New York, began a seven-year prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As part of his plea, he admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, charging donors’ credit cards without authorization and fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, among other acts that began years before he ran for Congress in 2022. Santos was also ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution to his victims, but he will no longer have to under the terms of the commutation posted on X by Ed Martin, the U.S. attorney.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/HxnOA84NUT7QT1rnx14TMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c57242aed13cc35d36115ef7bbbdc225 class=caas-img>Michele FioreTrump pardoned Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Councilwoman who was convicted of federal charity fraud after misusing donations for a planned police memorial. She had not been sentenced when she was pardoned.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Michele FioreTrump pardoned Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Councilwoman who was convicted of federal charity fraud after misusing donations for a planned police memorial. She had not been sentenced when she was pardoned.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cFGVDHOY_jl4pkz4nACPxg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/021563aaff78d7b2f8aa735664aa1e81 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Michele FioreTrump pardoned Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Councilwoman who was convicted of federal charity fraud after misusing donations for a planned police memorial. She had not been sentenced when she was pardoned.
">Michele FioreTrump pardoned Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Councilwoman who was convicted of federal charity fraud after misusing donations for a planned police memorial. She had not been sentenced when she was pardoned.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cFGVDHOY_jl4pkz4nACPxg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/021563aaff78d7b2f8aa735664aa1e81 class=caas-img>Scott Jenkins
Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery in what prosecutors called a “cash-for-badges scheme,” preventing him from starting his 10-year prison sentence on May 27.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Scott Jenkins
Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery in what prosecutors called a “cash-for-badges scheme,” preventing him from starting his 10-year prison sentence on May 27.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2DkcE9FYZz4fmDtnFrTn2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7d918d43da90738b718744305d76b478 class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Scott Jenkins
Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery in what prosecutors called a “cash-for-badges scheme,” preventing him from starting his 10-year prison sentence on May 27.
">Scott Jenkins
Trump pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery in what prosecutors called a “cash-for-badges scheme,” preventing him from starting his 10-year prison sentence on May 27.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2DkcE9FYZz4fmDtnFrTn2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7d918d43da90738b718744305d76b478 class=caas-img>Rod BlagojevichBlagojevich was sentenced in 2012 to 14 years in prison. He was released in 2020 after Trump commuted his sentence. Trump issued him a full pardon in 2025. The former governor, who was impeached and removed from office, appeared on Trump's television show "Celebrity Apprentice."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Rod BlagojevichBlagojevich was sentenced in 2012 to 14 years in prison. He was released in 2020 after Trump commuted his sentence. Trump issued him a full pardon in 2025. The former governor, who was impeached and removed from office, appeared on Trump's television show "Celebrity Apprentice."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8RPtFT49OGUn12l9LoP6dA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/448378969a49f9db9092230647b3cc9c class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Rod BlagojevichBlagojevich was sentenced in 2012 to 14 years in prison. He was released in 2020 after Trump commuted his sentence. Trump issued him a full pardon in 2025. The former governor, who was impeached and removed from office, appeared on Trump's television show "Celebrity Apprentice."
">Rod BlagojevichBlagojevich was sentenced in 2012 to 14 years in prison. He was released in 2020 after Trump commuted his sentence. Trump issued him a full pardon in 2025. The former governor, who was impeached and removed from office, appeared on Trump's television show "Celebrity Apprentice."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8RPtFT49OGUn12l9LoP6dA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/448378969a49f9db9092230647b3cc9c class=caas-img>Henry "Enrique" TarrioPresident Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy, along with more than 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Henry "Enrique" TarrioPresident Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy, along with more than 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vfkTQei.QgJXJYLm4DZhlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76826a5f566dcb26318f9665557ee07a class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Henry "Enrique" TarrioPresident Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy, along with more than 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
">Henry "Enrique" TarrioPresident Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio, who was serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy, along with more than 1,500 people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vfkTQei.QgJXJYLm4DZhlQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76826a5f566dcb26318f9665557ee07a class=caas-img>Stewart Rhodes
Trump commuted the 18-year sentence for Stewart Rhodes, the former head of the Oath Keepers militia, who was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Stewart Rhodes
Trump commuted the 18-year sentence for Stewart Rhodes, the former head of the Oath Keepers militia, who was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZWH1XWreiDqVuKVahG.isQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a3b2e9270887ab8d82ff3befaedc1ede class=caas-img data-headline="See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters" data-caption="
Stewart Rhodes
Trump commuted the 18-year sentence for Stewart Rhodes, the former head of the Oath Keepers militia, who was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
">Stewart Rhodes
Trump commuted the 18-year sentence for Stewart Rhodes, the former head of the Oath Keepers militia, who was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZWH1XWreiDqVuKVahG.isQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a3b2e9270887ab8d82ff3befaedc1ede class=caas-img>
1 / 12See Trump’s second-term pardons from political allies to Jan. 6 rioters
President Donald Trump has issued numerous pardons including for some notable people and high-profile cases since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.
The Justice Department said Wilson was part of an unnamed militia. Politico reports that Wilson was a member of the the Gray Ghost Partisan Rangers and other groups.
While Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people for crimes related to Jan. 6, 2021 on his first day in office, Wilson also had convictions for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered firearm that originated in Kentucky.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioter from Kentucky to clear gun charges
Source: “AOL General News”
