David Daniel Jan. 6 Pardoned Rioter Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case
David Daniel, who was pardoned by President Trump for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot, has agreed to plead guilty in a separate child pornography case. A federal judge ruled that Trump's pardons for January 6 conduct did not cover child exploitation crimes.
David Daniel received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. But that pardon won't save him from a separate federal case involving child sexual abuse material.
Daniel has now reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the child pornography case. The charges are completely separate from his January 6 activities.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Orso made it clear in January that the presidential pardon has limits. He ruled that "child exploitation is not 'conduct related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.'" The judge said the pardon's language simply doesn't cover child exploitation crimes.
Daniel is not the only January 6 participant facing child pornography charges. Another pardoned rioter was recently sentenced to prison for possessing what prosecutors called an "enormous" collection of child sexual abuse material.
The case demonstrates that while Trump's pardons wiped clean the January 6 charges, they provide no protection for unrelated federal crimes.
This case shows that presidential pardons have limits and don't protect people from unrelated crimes. It also highlights how some January 6 participants face serious criminal charges beyond their role in the Capitol attack.
Daniel will formally enter his guilty plea in court. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled.
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