New pardon by Donald Trump covers Dan Wilson’s separate firearm conviction
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has issued a second pardon for a militia member involved in the January 6 Capitol riot who was imprisoned for illegal firearm possession.
Trump initially pardoned Dan Wilson, a member of the far-right Oath Keepers group, along with 1,500 other rioters during his January 21 inauguration.
Wilson’s separate conviction for illegally possessing firearms at his Kentucky home was not initially covered by that pardon.
He received a five-year prison sentence and was scheduled for release in 2028.
A presidential decree dated Friday and seen by AFP described the latest pardon as “full and unconditional.”
Wilson’s lawyers George Pallas and Carol Stewart said he was “relieved to be home with his loved ones” after seven months in jail.
They told US media including Politico that the pardon “not only restores his freedom but also shines a light on the overreach that has divided this nation.”
The Trump administration argued in February that the initial pardon did not cover the firearms conviction because it was unrelated to the Capitol riot.
The Justice Department reversed its position weeks later, ruling that the pardon should apply to weapons offenses discovered during the FBI’s riot investigation.
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the Capitol riot, describing it as a “day of love” and “outpouring of affection” for him.
Hundreds of his supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, attempting to prevent certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. – AFP
