Two Wayne County men convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot received pardons from President Trump. James Weeks, of Sodus, who served time for assaulting a police officer, and Scott Columbus, of Wolcott, convicted of unlawful demonstration, were among those pardoned.
Weeks was sentenced to 27 months in prison, while Columbus received probation after entering the Capitol with Renee Fatta, who was also pardoned. Trump’s pardons mark an effort to rewrite the narrative of the riot, despite the violence and injuries it caused.
Trump called the pardons a step toward “national reconciliation” while asserting nonviolent offenders were unfairly punished. The move highlights ongoing debates about the events of Jan. 6 and accountability.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].