Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Trump Issues Second Pardon to Jan. 6 Rioter Erasing Gun Conviction
Imagine someone, Dan, was in trouble for having a gun he wasn't supposed to have.
President Trump gave him a special 'get out of jail free' card, called a pardon.
He did this once before for Dan, who was also part of a big protest at the Capitol building.
But the first card didn't cover the gun problem.
So, President Trump gave Dan a second, even stronger card.
This new card makes the gun trouble disappear completely.
Dan's lawyers are happy because he can go home.
The President thinks the protest wasn't as bad as some people say.
President Trump issued a second, full, and unconditional pardon to Dan Wilson, a member of the Oath Keepers involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Wilson was serving a sentence for illegal possession of firearms and was due for release in 2028.
The initial pardon on Jan. 21 did not cover the firearms conviction, which the Trump administration initially argued was unrelated to the riot.
The Justice Department later ruled the pardon should apply to the weapons offense as they were discovered during the FBI's investigation into the riot.
Wilson's lawyers stated he is relieved to be home and that the pardon highlights national division.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and Dan Wilson (Oath Keeper member)
- What
- Issued a second full and unconditional pardon to Dan Wilson, erasing his conviction for illegal possession of firearms.
- When
- The second pardon was dated Friday (implicitly near publication); the January 6th riot occurred on January 6, 2021.
- Where
- United States (Kentucky for firearms conviction, U.S. Capitol for riot)
- Why
- Wilson was involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, and the Justice Department ruled the pardon covered weapons offenses discovered during the riot investigation.
Supporters of Trump's Pardon
Opponents of Trump's Pardon
Pardon Legality and Scope
Supporters of Trump's Pardon
Wilson's lawyers state the pardon restores his freedom and highlights overreach that has divided the nation. The Justice Department ultimately ruled the pardon covered the weapons offense.
Opponents of Trump's Pardon
The Trump administration initially argued the pardon did not cover the firearms conviction as it was unrelated to the Capitol riot.
Interpretation of January 6th Events
Supporters of Trump's Pardon
Trump has downplayed the seriousness of the Capitol riot, calling it a 'day of love' and 'outpouring of affection.'
Opponents of Trump's Pardon
Hundreds of Trump supporters forcibly entered the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's victory, resulting in injuries and deaths.
- Individual Pardoned
- Dan Wilson, Oath Keeper member
- Conviction
- Illegal possession of firearms
- Original Sentence
- Five years in prison
- Original Release Date
- 2028
- First Pardon Date
- January 21, 2021
- Second Pardon Date
- Unknown (dated Friday, implicitly near publication)
- Pardon Type
- Full and unconditional
