Presidential Clemency Granted Again
President Donald Trump has issued a second pardon to Daniel Edwin Wilson, a defendant involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, specifically addressing separate firearms offenses. This latest act of clemency, dated to Friday, November 14, 2025, led to Wilson's release from prison later that evening.
Wilson, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, was among approximately 1,500 individuals who received a sweeping pardon from President Trump in January 2025 for their involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol.
Background on January 6 Involvement and Initial Pardon
Daniel Wilson pleaded guilty in May 2024 to a charge of conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, receiving a five-year prison sentence. According to the Justice Department, Wilson, identified as a militia member, entered the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, wearing a gas mask. His initial pardon in January 2025 covered his role in the Capitol attack, but he remained incarcerated due to unrelated gun charges.
The Separate Gun Offenses
The firearms charges against Wilson originated from a search of his home in June 2022, conducted as part of the investigation into his presence at the Capitol. During the search, authorities discovered six guns and approximately 4,800 rounds of ammunition. Wilson was legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered firearm, with a projected release date of 2028.
Rationale for the Second Pardon
A White House official explained that the second pardon was issued because 'the search of Mr. Wilson's home was due to the events of January 6, and they should have never been there in the first place, President Trump is pardoning Mr. Wilson for the firearm issues.' This statement underscores the administration's view that the gun charges were directly linked to the investigation of Wilson's Jan. 6 activities.
Wilson's lawyer, George Pallas, welcomed the pardon, stating, 'For too long, my client has been held as a political prisoner by a government that criminalized dissent.' Pallas added, 'President Trump's pardon rights this wrong and sends a clear message that peaceful Americans will not be persecuted for their beliefs. Mr. Wilson is innocent, he has always been innocent, and this pardon proves it.' He also expressed gratitude that 'Mr. Wilson can now reunite with his family and begin rebuilding his life.'
Broader Context of Jan. 6 Pardons
The case of Daniel Wilson highlights an ongoing legal debate regarding the scope of President Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 defendants. Earlier this year, a Trump-appointed federal judge overseeing Wilson's case criticized the Justice Department's argument that the initial Jan. 6 pardons should extend to Wilson's gun offenses. This second pardon for Wilson is part of President Trump's broader efforts to use his constitutional authority to support individuals scrutinized in connection with the January 6, 2021, events.
5 Comments
Comandante
Illegal guns are illegal guns, Jan 6 or not. Undermining the rule of law.
Coccinella
It's true that the search warrant for Wilson's home was linked to January 6, which some might see as an overreach. Yet, discovering six illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammo, given his prohibited status, reveals a serious underlying legal issue separate from the Capitol events.
Bermudez
Many believe these pardons are about supporting those who feel targeted, which resonates with a segment of the population. But for others, pardoning someone who broke gun laws, regardless of the investigation's starting point, looks like a disregard for established legal standards.
Ongania
This is an absolute disgrace. He's pardoning an armed felon!
Manolo Noriega
The President certainly has the power to pardon, and one can argue the gun charges stemmed from a politically charged investigation. However, the fact that Wilson was already prohibited from owning firearms due to earlier felonies complicates the narrative of him being entirely innocent.