President Trump issues pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol [Video]

Donald Trump issued pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, one of his first acts after being sworn in as the country’s 47th president on Monday.Related video above: Pam Bondi discusses pardons for Jan. 6 rioters during attorney general confirmation hearing The pardons fulfilled Trump’s promise to release supporters who tried to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago.“These are the hostages,” he said while signing the paperwork in the Oval Office. Trump said he hopes many are released shortly.His desk was covered with executive orders for increasing border security, designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, limiting birthright citizenship and establishing a task force for reducing the size of the federal government. It was an aggressive start for Trump’s second presidency as he claimed a mandate to reshape American institutions and unravel Joe Biden’s legacy.While sitting at the desk, a reporter asked …