Senate Resolution Calls President’s Action a Betrayal of Law Enforcement Community in Minnesota, Across the Country
St. Paul, Minn. – Following several hours of debate in two Senate Floor sessions, Senator Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) voted yes on Senate Resolution 15, expressing the Minnesota Senate’s condemnation of President Trump’s pardon of criminal participants of the January 6 insurrection who had been found guilty of violent crimes.
The January 6 insurrection injured more than 140 police officers in what U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia called the largest single-day, mass assault of law enforcement officers in our nation’s history. Shortly after being sworn in for his second term, President Trump granted “a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses” related to the attack on our democracy on January 6, 2021. related to events
“By voting yes on this resolution, I stand firm in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and holding accountable those who threatened the very foundation of our democracy,” said Senator Carlson. “The individuals involved in the January 6th attack did not just assault our Capitol; they brutally attacked the law enforcement officers who were there to protect our nation. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to defend us, and it is essential that we ensure their courage is honored, not undermined. When accountability is weakened, it sends a dangerous message about the value of dedicated law enforcement and criminal justice professionals. If we are to recruit the next generation of distinguished and committed public servants, we must show them that the rule of law will always be upheld and those who break it will face the consequences.”
“As the Chair of the Senate Elections Committee, I know firsthand the critical importance of a peaceful, orderly transfer of power in our democracy. The events of January 6th disrupted the function of our government and sought to undermine the very process through which we elect our leaders. A peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democratic system, and anything that jeopardizes that system is a direct threat to our freedom and our country. As someone who oversees the integrity of our elections, I cannot stand by and allow those who sought to disrupt this fundamental process to escape accountability. We must protect the sanctity of our elections and part of that is ensuring that those who attempted to derail them are held fully accountable.
The January 6 insurrection injured more than 140 police officers in what U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia called the largest single-day, mass assault of law enforcement officers in our nation’s history, while delaying the certification of the 2020 presidential election for several hours.
The resolution passed the Senate with all 34 DFL Senators voting Yes, 22 Republicans voting No, and 10 Republicans who did not show up to vote. Following today’s passage, a copy of Senate Resolution 15 will be transmitted to President Trump, and the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and Governor Walz.
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