It must be acknowledged that the system's treatment of Jan. 6 protesters, unfairly called "rioters" by those looking to preserve the Washington DC establishment, has been outright unconstitutional. A weaponized justice system is targeting those involved in the events of that day, which is why Trump is now emphasizing that they deserve the full protection afforded to them under US law.
As president, Donald Trump was reckless in his use of the instrument of presidential pardon, which he primarily employed to keep his own ideological flock intact. Now, he is using it again as a carrot in the poll run-up. His frequent harping on the idea of pardoning the Capitol Hill rioters contradicts the basic intent of the tool as envisaged by the nation's founders.