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How Trump’s Jan. 6 Pardons Connect to Wisconsin Politics

Donald Trump signs sweeping pardons for those involved in the Capitol riot and Wisconsin figures like Brad Schimel defend the controversial move

Teri Barr

Jan 21, 2025, 4:10 PM CST

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On the first day of his second term as president, Donald Trump granted pardons for more than 1,500 people involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection, including many who attacked members of law enforcement.

How does this connect to Wisconsin?

Along with several of those being pardoned being from Wisconsin — including a man from Pulaski who posted “I pepper-sprayed three cops so bad they got undressed and went home…” to social media after the riot at the Capitol — the decisions surrounding these pardons connect to the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.

In a discussion on “The Todd Allbaugh Show,” the host points out that right-wing candidate Brad Schimel, current Waukesha County judge and former Attorney General, recently argued that Jan. 6 defendants “never got a fair shot in court” and accused Democrats of “abusing the court system for political gain.”

Now, people like the so-called “QAnon Shaman,” Jacob Angeli Chansley, is celebrating his release with social media posts thanking the president and saying he is going to buy more guns now that he’s free.  

“The men and women who put on the uniform and the shield, who run into danger every day for us have my utmost respect. I have family members who serve in law enforcement. I’m very proud of them,” Allbaugh said. “The fact that this guy Trump last night let these people out is astounding.”

Allbaugh argues that Schimel’s recent comments put him on the side of people like the “QAnon Shaman.”


LISTEN to the entire discussion here:

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At the RNC in Milwaukee in June 2024, Allbaugh interviewed Congressman Glenn Grothman, who answered questions about the Jan. 6 insurrection and the potential pardons that Donald Trump was campaigning on.

On the show, Allbaugh replayed his full interview with Grothman, where he said “I would be surprised if that happens,” in regards to pardoning those who attacked members of law enforcement at the Capitol.

Looking ahead, is possible the fallout from Trump’s executive orders could play a significant role in shaping public opinion in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race?

Allbaugh argues that while Brad Schimel is “surrounding himself with images of cops in law enforcement” in political ads and is professing to be “tough on crime,” but “when it comes to be actually supporting the prosecution of people who attacked law enforcement, Brad Schimel is a fraud and soft on crime.”

Listen to “The Todd Allbaugh Show” here.

Related story: President Trump Signs Pardon for Pulaski Man for Jan. 6th Actions

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