Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate on Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons: ‘I don’t object to them’

During a press call on Monday, conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel indicated support for President Donald Trump’s right to pardon after he controversially pardoned participants of the Jan. 6 insurrection.

AP News’ Scott Bauer initially reported that Schimel did not object to Trump granting clemency to over 1,500 rioters, some who were convicted of committing violence against Capitol Police officers.

“Presidents have the power to pardon,” Schimel said. “President Biden has issued pardons. President Trump has now issued pardons as he’s come in and presidents over history have done that. It’s a power they have. I don’t object to them utilizing that power.”

Schimel also said he believes violent offenders who attacked the police “should be prosecuted and held accountable and judges should impose sentences that are just under those circumstances.”

Trump either commuted the sentence or issued “a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.” Trump also referred to the rioters as “hostages” and falsely claimed that much of the violence was committed by “outside agitators.”

The sweeping pardons generated mixed responses from the GOP, with senators like James Lankford (R-OK) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressing disapproval. The National Fraternal Order of Police, who endorsed Trump’s 2024 candidacy, issued a statement on the pardons saying, “Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.”

During the conference, Schimel was also endorsed by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Wisconsin’s six Republican congressmen.

Schimel is a judge for the Waukesha Circuit Court who previously served as Wisconsin’s attorney general from 2015-19. He will face Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford in an April 1 election that will determine the ideological majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

During the call, Johnson referred to Crawford as a representative of the “radical left” and that she will attempt to overturn Wisconsin’s voter ID law if she is elected. There is currently no lawsuit challenging the voter ID law, which requires a state ID card to vote in any election. Republicans in the Wisconsin state legislature are attempting to enshrine the law via a constitutional amendment on April 1.

Schimel was also endorsed by billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk last Thursday.

Very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud! https://t.co/tB1qErm2cP

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 23, 2025