Judge criticizes Justice Department’s broad reading of Trump’s Capitol riot pardons

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Wednesday criticized the Justice Department’s evolving position that a presidential pardon for a Kentucky man who stormed the Capitol also covers his conviction for illegally possessing guns at his home. Friedrich said it was “extraordinary” for the Justice Department to declare that President Donald Trump’s blanket pardons for Capitol rioters apply to crimes related to illegal “contraband” found by investigators during searches related to the Jan. 6 cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Blackwell said Justice Department officials recently provided “further clarity” that Trump intended for Wilson’s pardon to cover his firearms convictions. “It’s not subject to interpretation.” Friedrich said she doesn’t question that Trump had the authority to pardon Wilson and approximately 1,400 other Capitol riot defendants. “It can’t be, ‘We know it when we see it.’” The Justice Department concluded that Trump’s pardon for another Capitol riot defendant, Jeremy Brown, also applies to his separate convictions for illegally possessing stolen grenades and classified information.