**Trump's Pardon Promise Ignites Hope Among January 6 Rioters**

Amidst ongoing legal battles, rioters like Derrick Evans voice hopes for pardons as Trump plans a potential return to the presidency.

Derrick Evans, a former West Virginia legislator, remains hopeful following November's election results, believing that Donald Trump's anticipated return to the White House could lead to a pardon for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. Evans, who served three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to civil disorder, described a pardon as transformative for his life. He, along with thousands, participated in the Capitol breach to contest the electoral outcome based on unfounded claims of election fraud.

Trump has previously promised to pardon January 6 participants, dubbing them “patriots” and “political prisoners.” However, the specifics surrounding such pardons remain vague. "I believe he's a man of his word," Evans stated, citing Trump's pledges made during his campaign.

In March, Trump reaffirmed his commitment by stating on Truth Social that one of his first actions as president would be to "Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!" He further emphasized his willingness to pardon individuals whom he considers innocent.

While Trump has indicated a preference for case-by-case evaluations rather than a blanket pardon, the legal landscape remains complex. The January 6 events triggered one of the largest federal investigations in U.S. history, with approximately 600 individuals charged for various offenses, including attack against law enforcement.

Despite ongoing investigations, which have seen arrests still being made including several prominent figures like Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers, some January 6 defendants are requesting postponed hearings in anticipation of potential pardons. For instance, North Carolina's Christopher Carnell sought a delay due to expected clemency, a request that was ultimately denied.

There's currently a surge of enthusiasm among some participants, with discussions circulating on fringe forums about the anticipated pardons. Jake Lang, incarcerated for assaulting police during the riot, is among those who have publicly expressed optimism for a post-inauguration release.

Yet there are concerns that Trump's anticipated pardons could undermine the justice system. Wendy Via from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism warned that pardoning offenders would normalize violence in political discourse. While large-scale pardons might not be imminent, Evans and fellow rioters are advocating for reparations along with clemency as restitution for their time behind bars.