Joe Lombardo: “Yeah, it’s unfortunate [… ] I can’t get into the mind of the president and his ultimate decision to make that decision.”

After weeks of silence from Joe Lombardo on Donald Trump’s pardons of over 1,500 rioters who were either convicted or charged for crimes committed during the January 6th, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol that led to the death of a law enforcement officer, Lombardo balked at the opportunity to unequivocally condemn Trump’s pardons saying, “it’s unfortunate” and he “can’t get into the mind of the president and his ultimate decision to make that decision”. 

Lombardo, the former Sheriff who campaigned on “law and order”, has refused to stand up for law enforcement and speak out against the pardoning of hundreds of violent rioters who assaulted police officers during their siege of the capitol, which resulted in 140 police officers being injured. As other Republicans and law enforcement groups have spoken up to criticize Trump over these dangerous pardons, Lombardo has instead opted for cowardice. 

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno:

“There is no middle ground here; either you stand on the side of men and women in uniform and their families or you don’t. Lombardo is more concerned with his political career than standing up to Trump to defend law enforcement and condemn these dangerous pardons.”