A Pardon Too Far

Accountability? Never heard of it.

The pardons hit like a brick. I’m not talking about some abstract outrage or a fleeting sense of disbelief. This one hurt. Because I had a very small role in helping identify some of these people—not for political reasons, but because when someone tries to overthrow the U.S. government, you step up. You help. It’s what any decent person would do.

But seeing those same people walk away with a presidential pardon? That’s a gut punch. It’s like the system looked me (and everyone who stood up for democracy) in the eye and said, "Yeah, we’re not that into consequences anymore."

Let’s rewind. After January 6th, there was this brief flicker of hope. Remember that? People from all walks of life came together to condemn what happened. For once, it didn’t matter who you voted for, what mattered was that we couldn’t let this slide. Law enforcement got to work. Citizens scoured photos and videos. Names were named, and people were held accountable. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt like the system was doing what it was supposed to do.

Fast forward to now, and we’re watching that work get flushed down the drain. The pardons aren’t just an insult, they’re a signal. A message that says, “If you’re on the right team, you’re untouchable.” That’s dangerous. When accountability becomes optional, democracy isn’t far behind.

And let’s be real, this wasn’t about justice or fairness. It was about protecting the brand. Keeping the base happy. Selling the idea that loyalty to one man is worth more than loyalty to the country. The pardons are just the latest reminder that for some, power trumps principle every time.

For me, this isn’t just politics, it’s personal. I believed in the system enough to help it. I trusted it enough to think that actions, especially ones as serious as these, would have consequences. Watching that trust get betrayed? It’s shaken my faith in ways I didn’t think were possible.

But here’s the thing: we don’t give up. The system isn’t perfect—it’s flawed, messy, and sometimes infuriating. But it’s still ours. And if we want it to mean something, we have to keep fighting for it. That means staying loud, staying engaged, and holding every last one of these people accountable, whether they get a pardon or not.

Because if we don’t, who will? 🐴

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