A former January 6 rioter who was previously pardoned by Donald Trump has been arrested again—this time for allegedly sending explicit messages to an undercover officer posing as a teenage girl.
According to NBC News, the shocking incident has reignited concerns about the former president’s pattern of granting clemency to individuals with extensive criminal histories.
Critics argue that Trump’s pardons have included individuals with records of domestic violence, assault, and even more serious offenses. Just last week, reports surfaced about another pardoned individual who had sought clemency for plotting against the FBI.
Trump has defended his decisions, describing many of those he pardoned as “patriots,” but his actions have left many stunned. Some question whether individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds should have been granted pardons at all.
NBC News also reports that NPR has identified dozens of defendants with prior convictions or pending charges for crimes such as murder, child abuse, and drug trafficking. Some have even been linked to the production of explicit child exploitation material, further fueling the debate over the legitimacy of these pardons.
The latest arrest raises critical questions about the vetting process behind presidential pardons and the potential consequences of granting clemency to individuals with troubling pasts.