Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has barred individuals who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol building from holding state employment, despite President Donald Trump's executive action last week that pardoned or commuted the majority of defendants' sentences.
According to a written communication obtained by NBC News, Pritzker on Thursday directed the state's Department of Central Management Services, its main hiring authority, to reject candidates who took part in the events of Jan. 6 by applying the state's personnel code and considering any such participation "as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State."
"These rioters attacked law enforcement officers protecting people in the Capitol, disrupted the peaceful transfer of power, and undermined bedrock principles of American democracy," Pritzker wrote. "Our State workforce must reflect the values of Illinois and demonstrate honesty, integrity, and loyalty to serving the taxpayers. No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government."
Pritzker's new directive is reportedly the first instance of direct pushback against Trump's raft of pardons and is likely to encounter legal hurdles. Sources told NBC, however, that using the personnel code was believed to be the most durable method for it to survive a court challenge.
Wasting little time, Trump issued a sweeping order on his first day in office last week that pardoned approximately 1,500 people and commuted the sentences of 14 others who breached the Capitol building four years ago in protest of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential win.
On Jan. 20, Trump issued a "complete and unconditional pardon" to most of the individuals who were convicted and ordered the Justice Department to drop the 470 cases that were ongoing. A total of 1,583 people had been charged in connection with the incident.
When asked by reporters the following day about one pardon for a convicted individual who had used a stun gun on a police officer, Trump said, "We'll take a look at everything."
"But I can say this. Murderers today are not even charged," Trump added. "You have murderers that aren't charged all over."
"These people have already served years in prison, and they've served them viciously," the president added. "It's a disgusting prison. It's been horrible. It's inhumane. It's been a terrible, terrible thing."
More than 50 Illinois residents may have been affected by Trump's Jan. 6 executive action, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Prairie State reportedly employs approximately 53,000 individuals.
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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