CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Recently pardoned individuals in Northeast Florida connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack spoke with News4JAX Friday about President Donald Trump issuing roughly 1,500 pardons, and commuting 14 sentences, earlier this week.
Several of the individuals pardoned were tied to the Capitol insurrection in 2021, roughly four years after thousands stormed the Capitol following claims the 2020 election was rigged.
In Northeast Florida, 11 people were charged in connection to the Capitol attack. Of those, five received prison sentences.
Related: Middleburg couple guilty on Capitol riot charges get probation, ordered to pay $500
News4JAX reached out to individuals in Northeast Florida impacted by the pardons to hear their thoughts. Some declined to comment, others couldn’t be reached, but one person, Dana Winn from Clay County, agreed to speak over the phone.
Winn and his partner, Rachel Pert, both pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building during the Jan. 6 attack. Winn received a sentence of one year of probation, a $500 fine, community service and 10 days of in-house incarceration.
When asked about the experience, Winn described it as a “pain in the a**.”
A presidential pardon can have significant impacts on individuals convicted of crimes. A pardon does not erase or expunge a conviction but can release a person from punishment, help restore their voting rights, and make it easier to secure employment.
When asked how he felt about Trump’s decision to pardon individuals involved in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, Winn said he supported the decision.
“I thought it was great,” Winn said. “But again, at the very beginning, it’s a bunch of bull**** for the fact that there was injustice done. The Justice Department was weaponized against the people. Trump just did what he thought was right, because he knows it was all just a bunch of false allegations.”
The pardons made on Jan. 20, 2025, have sparked significant debate.
Critics, including former President Joe Biden, have called Jan. 6 an attack on democracy. The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police released a statement condemning the pardons, saying they were “deeply discouraged” by the decisions to pardon individuals convicted of killing or assaulting law enforcement officers.
News4JAX also reached out to Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters for his reaction. Waters acknowledged the controversy but expressed a practical approach.
“So, I’m going to say this—Joe Biden pardoned murders, rapists, a bunch of them,” Waters said. “The president’s authority allowed him to do what he did. Now, we deal with it and we move on and keep working.”
Related Video: Trump issues sweeping pardon of 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, including rioters who attacked police
Winn shared his gratitude for those who served prison sentences for their involvement in the Capitol riot, calling their efforts service.
“Thank you for your service because that’s what it was,” Winn said.
He also mentioned hearing about other rioters considering lawsuits in response to their treatment. While Winn has not decided if he will pursue legal action, he said he plans to explore the option.
News4JAX reached out to the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police for comment on the pardons and is awaiting a response. News4JAX will update this article if they receive a response.