Police Shooting of Trump Pardoned January 6 Rioter Sparks Controversy

Mon Oct 20 2025 15:34:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Matthew Huttle, recently pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in the Capitol riot, was shot dead by police in a traffic encounter, reigniting discussions around the pardons issued last week.

Matthew Huttle, who received a pardon from Donald Trump related to the January 6 Capitol riot, was killed by police in Indiana just days after his release. The police involved are under investigation, as calls for accountability grow over the repercussions of the pardons.

Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old man who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Indiana on Sunday. The incident occurred shortly after his release, raising significant concerns and discussions surrounding the recent pardons.

The Indiana State Police reported that Huttle was pulled over, and during the encounter, he allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in an "altercation" with an officer. The circumstances of his arrest remain unclear, but it was noted that Huttle had a firearm in his possession at the time.

Huttle had been among the nearly 1,600 individuals pardoned or granted commutations by Trump for their roles in the Capitol insurrection in January 2021, which saw supporters of the former president storming the Capitol building. Following the riot, Huttle received a sentence of six months in prison as part of a plea agreement, serving approximately six months before his release in July 2024.

In response to the shooting, the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, as Sheriff Patrick Williamson emphasized the need for transparency and the call for an Indiana State Police investigation into the matter.

Previously, Huttle expressed no regret over his actions during the Capitol riot, asserting, "I'm not ashamed of being there. It was our duty as patriots." He was not alone in this sentiment; his uncle, Dale Huttle, was also convicted for his participation in the riot.

However, the aftermath of the pardons continues to spark debates. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, criticized Trump’s decision, labeling it a "mistake" to pardon those who violently attacked law enforcement during the riot.

This tragic incident is not isolated, as Daniel Bell, another participant in the January 6 events, was recently rearrested on federal gun charges. Huttle and Bell were part of the group that saw their charges dismissed by Trump in a controversial pardon spree. As discussions about accountability and justice for the Capitol riot persist, the ramifications of such pardons remain a hot topic in U.S. politics.