Politics

Trump Pardons Capitol Riot-Linked Individuals: What You Need to Know

Trump pardoned Wilson for firearms, Kaye for threatening FBI agents, linked to Jan 6, 2021 riot.

November 15, 2025, 7:21 PM

Three protesters stand at a shattered window opening of the US Capitol building entrance, with one holding a weapon-like object and another wearing a red cap.

Three individuals standing in a broken window and door opening of the US Capitol as part of a larger crowd breaching the perimeter in January 2021. By lev radin / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

President Trump issued new pardons to Dan Wilson and Suzanne Kaye, both individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Dan Wilson’s pardon addresses Kentucky firearms offenses that were not covered by an initial pardon, with these charges emerging from investigations related to January 6.

Suzanne Kaye received a pardon for threatening FBI agents in a social media video after they sought to question her about her presence in Washington, D.C., on January 6.

The Story So Far

President Trump’s recent pardons for individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot are a continuation of his established pattern of granting clemency to those involved, an action he has previously expressed pride in. This ongoing effort is often framed by Trump and his allies as a necessary response to what they perceive as the “weaponization” of the Department of Justice under the Biden administration, aiming to “unwind the damage” they believe has been done.

Why This Matters

These new pardons by Donald Trump for individuals linked to January 6 underscore his continued commitment to granting clemency for those involved, intensifying the political clash with the Justice Department over its handling of these cases, which his allies portray as “weaponization,” and potentially setting a precedent for future actions regarding January 6-related prosecutions.

Who Thinks What?

President Trump and US Pardon Attorney Ed Martin assert that these pardons are a necessary step to “unwind the damage done by Biden’s DOJ weaponization” and demonstrate continued support for individuals connected to the January 6 events, including those they allege were “targeted” for social media posts.

The Justice Department previously prosecuted Suzanne Kaye for threatening FBI agents and investigated Dan Wilson, with an appeals court for the District of Columbia having previously upheld Wilson’s firearms-related sentences, indicating these actions were seen as legitimate law enforcement and judicial processes.

President Donald Trump has issued new pardons for two individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot: Dan Wilson, a militia member, for Kentucky firearms offenses, and Suzanne Kaye, who was sentenced for threatening FBI agents. These pardons follow a previous wave of clemency granted to January 6 defendants and were announced on November 15, 2025.

Pardon for Dan Wilson

Dan Wilson’s new pardon addresses separate Kentucky firearms offenses that were not covered by an initial Inauguration Day pardon. An appeals court for the District of Columbia had previously rejected Wilson’s attempt to vacate his firearms-related sentences, noting the plain language of the initial pardon did not apply to these specific charges, leading to his return to prison.

US Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, who previously served as DC’s US Attorney, advocated for Wilson’s unconditional pardon, which was issued on Friday. A White House official clarified that investigators discovered Wilson’s potential ownership of unauthorized firearms while investigating his conduct related to January 6, linking the charges to the broader events.

Pardon for Suzanne Kaye

Trump also granted a pardon to Suzanne Kaye, who had been sentenced to prison for threatening to shoot FBI agents in a social media video posted in 2021. Her comments were directed at agents who were seeking to question her about her presence in Washington, D.C., on January 6.

According to a 2023 Justice Department release, Kaye stated on video that she would “shoot their [expletive] a–” if FBI agents appeared at her house. Martin, in announcing Kaye’s pardon on X, alleged that “the Biden DOJ targeted Suzanne Kaye for social media posts,” and stated that Trump is “unwinding the damage done by Biden’s DOJ weaponization.”

Broader Context of Pardons

These latest pardons build upon President Trump’s earlier actions. In January, Trump issued more than a thousand pardons and commutations to individuals involved with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, an action he stated last month he was “very proud” of.

The recent pardons for Wilson and Kaye underscore President Trump’s continued efforts to provide clemency to individuals connected to the January 6 events, often supported by allies who criticize the Department of Justice’s handling of these cases.