Thomas Manger, Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, did not mince words when condemning Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons of January 6th rioters. “That was probably one of my worst days in this job,” Manger said with visible frustration. “I think it sent a chilling message to every police officer in this country,” he continued, alluding to what he believes is a dangerous precedent: that violent insurrectionists could be exonerated not through justice, but political favoritism.
In a blistering rebuke, Thomas Manger, who returned from retirement to restore integrity and strength to a force shaken by the 2021 Capitol siege, characterized the pardons as a “slap in the face.” His comments mark a rare and extraordinary condemnation from a top-ranking security official of a former president’s actions, especially one still seeking office again. It’s a moment of reckoning for law enforcement and American democracy alike.
A Force Abandoned: Intelligence Failures and a Fragile Recovery
Thomas Manger stepped back into service after the Capitol was ransacked, tasked with a near-impossible mission — rebuilding a force that had been left vulnerable and undermanned. “This wasn’t just about rebuilding morale,” Manger explained. “We had to overhaul the entire intelligence system that failed to warn us of the storm coming.” He implemented structural reforms, increased staffing, and sought to reestablish the Capitol Police as a serious protective entity, not just a ceremonial force.
CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane noted the scale of this challenge: Thomas Manger inherited an exhausted department, demoralized by the insurrection and further demoralized by a former commander-in-chief who later excused, even celebrated, the attackers. “To then see those same criminals pardoned—it deflates every effort we made to protect this country’s seat of democracy,” Manger lamented.
A Retiring Chief, A Rising Threat: Manger’s Departure Leaves Critical Gap
Thomas Manger’s decision to move forward with his retirement comes at a pivotal moment. “This is a big job for the person who succeeds me,” Manger said, underlining the increasingly perilous environment for elected officials. The Capitol Police now contend with nearly 10,000 threats against members of Congress annually — a staggering figure that reflects America’s deepening political divide and escalating political violence.
And those threats aren’t confined to Washington. “Members of Congress must be protected in every corner of the country when they return home, not just inside the Capitol Dome,” MacFarlane added. With Thomas Manger’s departure, the pressure to find a competent, fearless, and politically independent successor is mounting. The timing could not be more critical — especially with Trump again signaling support for violent extremists.
Trump’s Pardons Undermine Rule of Law: “Mob Rule Over Justice”
Thomas Manger did not hold back in describing the implications of Trump’s pardons. “It’s one thing to have strong opinions,” he said. “It’s another to excuse violence against your own country just because it fits your narrative.” He characterized the pardons as “an endorsement of lawlessness” and warned that they invite future unrest. “What does it say to the next would-be rioter, when they know a powerful ally might pardon them later?”
Experts agree. Legal scholars have described the mass pardons as a form of institutional decay — the weaponization of executive clemency for ideological gain. “This is not clemency; it’s complicity,” Manger said sharply. With Trump now floating the idea of pardoning those convicted in other extremist plots, including the foiled kidnapping of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Manger’s warning feels less like speculation and more like prophecy.
MAGA Violence Rebranded: From Domestic Terrorism to Patriotism?
Thomas Manger’s remarks cut directly to the heart of a dangerous trend: the normalization of political violence under the MAGA banner. “It’s as if we’ve crossed into a realm where domestic terrorism is being rebranded as patriotism,” Manger said. He pointed out that law enforcement is increasingly unsure of who has their back. “Imagine being a cop, holding the line while being beaten with flagpoles, only to see your attackers pardoned. That’s not just betrayal — it’s madness.”
As Trump continues to amplify those narratives, promoting convicted criminals as martyrs, Manger fears the next major incident will be even more emboldened and violent. The January 6th insurrection is no longer an anomaly but a blueprint. “The signal is clear,” Manger warned. “If it’s pro-MAGA, it’s permissible—even if it’s treasonous.”
Democracy on the Brink: Thomas Manger’s Final Alarm Before Exit
Before stepping down, Thomas Manger issued a stark warning: America is at a tipping point. “You can’t pretend to support law and order while cheering for the people who beat cops and tried to overturn an election,” he said. For Manger, the choice is binary—either uphold democratic norms and the rule of law, or watch the republic crumble under the weight of violent authoritarianism.
His final message is both a rallying cry and a cautionary tale. “We’ve spent centuries building this democracy, and it could all be undone by a mob with a slogan,” he said. As Manger exits the national stage, his searing words will likely echo in the chambers of Congress, the halls of law enforcement, and the hearts of Americans who still believe that accountability, not ideology, should govern justice.
