Trump Unleashes Fury Over Biden’s Pardons and Capitol Riot ‘Hostages’ in Spontaneous Post-Inauguration Rant

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered his inaugural address at the Capitol, addressing a packed audience. The speech took a dramatic turn as he went off-script, expressing grievances about the “rigged” 2020 election and criticizing former President Joe Biden’s recent pardons.

Trump targeted former congresswoman Liz Cheney and others, labeling them as “political thugs.” He indicated plans to pardon those who participated in the January 6 Capitol riots, asserting, “You are going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages.” Though he initially intended to discuss the situation of the Capitol detainees, advice from aides and First Lady Melania Trump led him to omit this topic.

As he spoke indoors at the Capitol Rotunda for the first time since the Reagan era, the mood among the four living ex-presidents—Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush—was notably somber. Following the ceremony, Trump interacted with approximately 600 supporters in Emancipation Hall without referring to notes.

Trump criticized Biden for granting a preemptive pardon to retired General Mark Milley, referring to him as “fascist to the core” and previously calling for severe repercussions. He also mentioned other last-minute pardons issued by Biden, including one for Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has faced harsh criticism over his pandemic response.

The former president sharply condemned the House panel investigating the January 6 events, claiming they had destroyed evidence pertaining to security measures on that day. He insinuated that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s actions may have contributed to the chaos. In response, Cheney accused Trump of lying and recalled his inaction as the rioters stormed the Capitol.

Milley expressed gratitude for Biden’s clemency, while the Justice Department reported that nearly 1,600 individuals have faced charges related to the attack, with about 610 of those charged for assaulting law enforcement. Trump’s future pardoning decisions are still uncertain, especially regarding those who violently confronted officers.

The president also revisited grievances about media coverage of his first inauguration, claiming he may have had a million attendees but lacked the photographic evidence to prove it. “They said, please don’t bring that up right now. You can bring that up tomorrow,” he recounted, suggesting persistent frustration with media narratives.