Donald Trump pardons almost everyone involved in January 6 riot

In short:

Everyone involved in the January 6 Capitol riots has been pardoned, except for 14 prisoners whose sentences have been reduced to time already served.

All pending cases relating to the riot will be dropped.

What's next?

Prison authorities have been ordered to release all January 6 inmates immediately.

Donald Trump has ordered the immediate release of every prisoner involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.

The president's first act upon his return to the Oval Office was to sign an order pardoning almost 1,500 people involved in the insurrection.

He also commuted the sentences of 14 others, deemed the most serious cases, and ordered they also be freed straight away.

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They include the leaders and members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups. They could still be given full pardons, Mr Trump said.

"This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation."

Rioters loyal to Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. (AP: Jose Luis Magana)

As he signed the order, Mr Trump said: "We hope they come out tonight, frankly."

Asked about showing clemency to people who assaulted police officers, he said: "They've been in jail for a long time already.

"I see murderers in this country get two years, one year, and maybe no time. So, they've already been in jail for a long time."

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All pending charges relating to the riot will also be dropped, according to the order.

Hundreds of Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 after Mr Trump made baseless claims that an election victory had been "stolen" from him.

Some threatened to kill members of Congress, attacked police with weapons and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

Before inauguration day, Mr Trump had said he would pardon some of the people involved in the riots, but suggested particularly violent offenders might not be released.