Trump Pardoned January 6 Rioter Killed by Police Days Later

Matthew Huttle, one of the pardoned individuals from the January 6 insurrection, was killed in an altercation with law enforcement shortly after his release. The circumstances surrounding his traffic stop and subsequent death are under investigation.

An Indiana man who gained notoriety for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot and was recently pardoned by former President Donald Trump was shot dead by police during a traffic stop. Matthew Huttle, 42, encountered law enforcement on Sunday, where an altercation ensued after he allegedly resisted arrest. Indiana State Police (ISP) stated he was armed at the time of the encounter.

The specific charges prompting the stop remain unclear as the police investigation unfolds. Huttle was one of approximately 1,600 individuals pardoned by Trump last week, including those who stormed the Capitol in 2021. Huttle's brief time inside the Capitol—around ten minutes—led to a six-month prison sentence in a plea deal, with his release occurring in July 2024.

Following the shooting, the officer involved was placed on paid administrative leave, and Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson called for the Indiana State Police to conduct a full investigation into the incident. Huttle’s uncle, Dale Huttle, who also faced sentencing for his actions on January 6, expressed pride in participating in the riot, stating, “I’m not ashamed of being there. It was our duty as patriots.”

This tragic incident raises further questions regarding the impact of the pardons issued by Trump. Notably, Huttle is not the only pardoned rioter facing subsequent legal issues; Daniel Bell from Florida was re-arrested on federal gun charges shortly after the pardons were granted.

Trump has faced criticism for his decision to pardon those involved in the riot, including harsh words from Senator Lindsey Graham, who referred to it as a “mistake” to pardon individuals who violently assaulted police officers during the uprising. Trump, however, defended his actions by stating that the justice system has unjustly persecuted these individuals and that their treatment has been extreme and unprecedented.