President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced his intention to issue significant pardons concerning the 2021 Capitol attack, where his supporters, spurred by his claims of voter fraud, violently attempted to stop the certification of his electoral defeat to Joe Biden.
During a press conference, Trump also expressed his ambitious plans regarding US control over the Panama Canal and the acquisition of Greenland from Denmark. When questioned about avoiding military or economic coercion in these areas, Trump stated, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
This bold declaration is part of Trump’s broader expansionist agenda, which he detailed just two weeks before his January 20 inauguration in Washington.
When asked if he will pardon anyone who attacked a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, President-elect Trump declines to answer.
“The crowd was made up of a lot of different people, so we’ll see.” https://t.co/21R6XgLPJn pic.twitter.com/3E3t0uXs5x
— ABC News (@ABC) January 7, 2025Additionally, Trump reiterated his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and impose significant tariffs on Mexico and Canada. “It covers a lot of territory,” he commented on the Gulf. “‘The Gulf of America.’ What a beautiful name.”
Trump’s renaming efforts follow his earlier promise to change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley, reversing a change made by former President Barack Obama in recognition of Native American heritage.
Some Republicans urge restraint as Trump promises to pardon Jan. 6 Capitol rioters https://t.co/bYsazZulSG pic.twitter.com/RnyE0fN8NE
— New York Post (@nypost) January 6, 2025The responsibility for setting geographic names typically falls to the US Board of Geographic Names, although past presidents have also made changes through executive action.
Read: Trump Suggests Annexing Canada as 51st State Post-Trudeau Resignation
This press conference, Trump’s second since his November 5 election victory, occurred a day after Congress formally certified his victory. Despite the heavy security due to past disruptions, the January 6 certification ceremony proceeded smoothly. This routine constitutional formality had been violently interrupted in 2021 by a mob of Trump supporters attempting to prevent Biden’s confirmation as President.
