Several former Wisconsin law enforcement officials have joined a national advocacy group to express their outrage at former President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Among these critics is former Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney, now a member of Police Leaders for Community Safety, a nonpartisan group of law enforcement professionals advocating for policies that strengthen public safety.
Members of the organization argue that the pardons undermine the rule of law and send a dangerous message to the public.
Sheriff Mahoney voiced deep concern, stating that the lack of accountability for those who attacked democracy and law enforcement erodes the nation’s foundational values.
“On the very day he was inaugurated, [Trump] signed into law and pardoned thousands of individuals that tried to overturn our democracy,” Mahoney said. “They attacked law enforcement, resulting in injuries and the death of officers who had dedicated their lives to protecting others.”
The January 6th riot led to numerous injuries among police officers, with one officer dying after the attack.
Mahoney highlighted the dual role of officers on that day—defending the protesters’ right to demonstrate peacefully while ultimately facing violence themselves when the law was broken.
Group Members Speak Out
Mahoney is not alone in his concerns. Former Madison Police Department Chief Sue Riseling, also a member of the group, released a statement condemning the pardons:
“Those who commit such violence must be held accountable. Pardoning people who attacked our men and women in blue is an affront to the rule of law and to all those who put their lives on the line in service to our nation.”
Both Mahoney and Riseling emphasized the importance of protecting democratic values, including the right to peaceful protest. They reflected on previous protests in Wisconsin, pointing to moments in 2010 when thousands gathered at the state Capitol without incident.
“Although we saw thousands and thousands of protesters, nobody was injured,” Mahoney recalled. “There was no property damage because law enforcement safeguarded the rights of all while maintaining order.”
Criticism of the Pardons
Mahoney and others in the organization have labeled some of the pardoned individuals as “domestic terrorists” and criticized the blanket nature of the pardons.
“It is unfathomable to grant broad-brush pardons to insurrectionists,” Mahoney said. “As law enforcement, we made a commitment to protect our communities. Now, we feel it’s our duty to speak out.”
Trump’s Defense
The former president has defended his decision, claiming the pardons were necessary and reiterating his stance as a friend to law enforcement.
Alongside the pardons, Trump commuted sentences for about a dozen individuals and ordered pending cases to be dismissed.
A Call for Accountability
Sheriff Mahoney emphasized that civil discourse, a cornerstone of democracy, must be upheld, and those who violate it must face consequences.
He and his fellow officers hope their message will resonate with the public and policymakers, reinforcing the need to preserve the rule of law.
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