# 7 Jan 2021 and beyond - the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [January 8, 2021, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020 "2021-01-08T10:28:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 264

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**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5271 "2025-01-22T20:11:39Z")

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No link, but it’s all over news sites if you Google it…  
Pam Hemphill is one of the people who was charged for the Jan 6th riots who turned down the pardon… saying accepting it would be a slap in the face to police officers and the law/justice system.

Too early to nominate her for Time’s Person of the Year?

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**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5272 "2025-01-22T22:48:07Z")

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Thanks for posting that. It is indeed all over news sites.

And good for her. At least somebody looked at that mess – in this case from up close and inside – and woke up.

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**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5273 "2025-01-23T00:17:10Z")

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> [@MikeF](#):
>
> I wonder how the various unions are going to address/spin this.

[Police union that endorsed Trump blasts Jan. 6 pardons](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/police-union-trump-jan-6-pardons)

> [@](#):
>
> President [Trump’s](https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump) [near-total pardon](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-pardons-jan-6-defendants) of Jan. 6 rioters was denounced by the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the U.S., and the International Association of Chiefs of Police on Tuesday. . . .
> 
> - “When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence,” the unions said.

They are just objecting to one action, not to the Trump administration as a whole. But I guess it’s a start.

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**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5274 "2025-01-23T00:19:26Z")

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Oh I’m sure when the next election rolls around they’ll vote straight R anyway.

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**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5275 "2025-01-23T02:26:42Z")

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> [@Sherrerd](#):
>
> > [@ParallelLines](#):
> >
> > The police will continue to love him, because he’ll gut any federal efforts to investigate state/local police practices. So they can keep hiding their dirty little secrets. To most cops these days (not all) any police/LEO that got hurt on 1/6 were traitors anyway.
> 
> ^This. The Capitol and DC cops who were harmed on 1/6/21 will be redefined as evil opponents of God’s Chosen, Donald Trump. 95% or more of law enforcement people will continue to adore their Donald.

And with absolutely zero surprise…

> **[Trump’s Justice Department halts police reform agreements | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/22/politics/justice-department-trump-police-reform-agreements/index.html)**
>
> The Trump administration is putting a halt to agreements that require reforms of police departments where the Justice Department found a pattern of misconduct, according to a memo issued Wednesday.

> The Trump administration is putting a halt to [agreements that require reforms of police departments](https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/16/politics/justice-department-consent-decrees-police-departments/index.html) where the Justice Department found a pattern of misconduct, according to a memo issued Wednesday.

And with this, any stain of pardoning 1/6 cop abusers is wiped away with the implicit promise to stay hands off all their _other_ and forthcoming abuses.

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**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5276 "2025-01-23T03:58:20Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> This will cost him the Police vote.

Or not  
[Trump pardons two police officers convicted in murder of Black man in Washington](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-pardons-two-police-officers-convicted-in-murder-of-black-man-in-washington/ar-AA1xGZzD?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=28f324d5958f43858b552a84c827fe3b&ei=10)

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5277 "2025-01-23T22:08:12Z")

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> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> Perhaps I am misunderstanding how this works, but I had assumed if the only charge was “misdemeanor trespassing” and a conviction was obtained it was the result of a plea deal.

That could be true, my cite did not mention anything like that. But it did mention a LOT of scum who were convicted of felonies.

> [@PhillyGuy](#):
>
> President [Trump’s](https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump) [near-total pardon](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-pardons-jan-6-defendants) of Jan. 6 rioters was denounced by the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the U.S., and the International Association of Chiefs of Police on Tuesday. . . .

Exactly as i predicted.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5278 "2025-01-23T22:10:13Z")

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No, you predicted it would cost him votes. All those cops complaining about it will still vote R.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5279 "2025-01-23T22:24:26Z")

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Man, I wish I had that crystal ball.

However, about half of cops are democrats vs Republicans, with the usual Infys.

> **[Policing\_and\_Representation\_4\_2024.pdf](https://jmummolo.scholar.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf3341/files/documents/Policing_and_Representation_4_2024.pdf)**
>
> 798.30 KB

Political Party Republican 71,177 32.45%  
Democratic 68,705 31.32%  
Other 49,442 22.54%

And sure maybe all the “independents” went for trump. but now way the registered Democrats did. Do you think the Police are a monolithic block, all MAGA? 🙄 Not even close. Oddly, police are just people.

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**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5280 "2025-01-23T22:30:41Z")

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> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> Yep. WE GOT HIM!

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0BQZCIEsroM/hqdefault.jpg "Last Week Tonight, We got him (for real)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BQZCIEsroM)

> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> Not only is this possible, but I can see trump awarding each and every one of them the presidential medal of freedom. Am I delusional?

You’re not thinking big enough. He’s going to convince Republicans to vote to award them the [Congressional Gold Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Gold_Medal) just to show that there are no hard feelings and they are welcome back any time. Also, he’ll have challenge coins struck (purchase price: $199.99) so that J6ers can celebrate each other and get free drinks from other would-be insurrectionists.

Stranger

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**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5281 "2025-01-23T22:32:40Z")

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So you really think they won’t endorse Trump backed candidates over this?

Of course they will endorse his candidates.

No cop will change their mind over this. Ergo no votes lost

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5282 "2025-01-23T22:40:51Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Do you think the Police are a monolithic block, all MAGA? 🙄

Sorry, when you said “this will cost him the police vote,” I figured you were generalizing, not talking about a specific cop.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5283 "2025-01-23T22:45:18Z")

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> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> Sorry, when you said “this will cost him the police vote,” I figured you were generalizing, not talking about a specific cop.

I was- look, just like any american, some cops are Dems, some old school GOP, some MAGA, and some Indy. Will the MAGAs stop their support? Or course not. Will the Dems keep not supporting him? Sure. What he did is risk and likely lose the old school GOP and Indy cops.

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**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5284 "2025-01-23T22:49:24Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> What he did is risk and likely lose the old school GOP and Indy cops.

Yeah, he should probably be worried about this…if he was ever going to run for office again.

Trump doesn’t give two shits about who he will piss off in the next four years, unless they have gobs of money.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5285 "2025-01-23T22:51:47Z")

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> [@Railer13](#):
>
> Yeah, he should probably be worried about this…if he was ever going to run for office again.

He will back and run many candidates in 2026, and he gets visibly annoyed or even angry when the voters dont go his way. His candidates losing = trump losing votes.

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**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5286 "2025-01-23T22:54:56Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> What he did is risk and likely lose the old school GOP and Indy cops.

But he didn’t and he won’t. There will be no meaningful difference.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5287 "2025-01-23T22:59:25Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Political Party Republican 71,177 32.45%  
> Democratic 68,705 31.32%  
> Other 49,442 22.54%

Also, since this is the Dope, I have to point out that this is very misleading. The study you quoted looked at 99 of the 100 _largest_ police departments in the US, representing 1/3 of all officers. In other words, police departments in larger urban areas that tend to be more heavily D.

You have presented the breakdown as if it represents political affiliation across all cops, when it is not intended to be used as such and is in fact cherry picked.

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**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5288 "2025-01-23T23:02:36Z")

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> [@ParallelLines](#):
>
> And with this, any stain of pardoning 1/6 cop abusers is wiped away with the implicit promise to stay hands off all their _other_ and forthcoming abuses.

Sadly, this is likely. (Not that every LE officer will see it this way, but: many will.)

> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> The study you quoted looked at 99 of the 100 _largest_ police departments in the US, representing 1/3 of all officers. In other words, police departments in larger urban areas that tend to be more heavily D.
> 
> You have presented the breakdown as if it represents political affiliation across all cops, when it is not intended to be used as such and is in fact cherry picked.

Thanks for catching this. Yes, urban police departments are highly unlikely to be representative of all police departments.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5289 "2025-01-23T23:05:49Z")

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> [@Zoobi](#):
>
> But he didn’t and he won’t. There will be no meaningful difference.

And that is your opinion. I think differently. You may be right, of course.

> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> You have presented the breakdown as if it represents political affiliation across all cops, when it is not intended to be used as such and is in fact cherry picked.

For which, I was unable to find a cite.

Do you have a cite that shows differently? Some cite that shows 90% of Police voted for trump? 🙄 Please, bring it out.

All polls depend on sampling.

> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> Also, since this is the Dope, I have to point out that this is very misleading.

And since i gave the cite, there is nothing “misleading”. Everyone is welcome to read the article and draw their own conclusions from it.

> [@Sherrerd](#):
>
> Thanks for catching this. Yes, urban police departments are highly unlikely to be representative of all police departments.

Cite?

You do know that 80% of Americans live in urban areas? So, that poll likely represents 80% of police.

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**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/5290 "2025-01-23T23:59:27Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> You do know that 80% of Americans live in urban areas? So, that poll likely represents 80% of police.

> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> The study you quoted looked at 99 of the 100 _largest_ police departments in the US, representing 1/3 of all officers.

Please read TroutMan’s post again.

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