Washington, 21 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned defendants involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building in Washington.

Trump signed a corresponding order in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration.

"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," the order stated.

Trump pardoned nearly everyone convicted of offences related to the riots, except for 14 people whose sentences were reduced to time already served.

All pending cases related the riot will be dropped, the order added.

"This is a big one," Trump said as he signed the order, adding that he hoped those held in prison would be released immediately.

According to US Department of Justice figures, more than 1,500 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the US Capitol.

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Trump violently stormed the US Congressional seat in Washington, where the Republican's election defeat to Joe Biden was to be certified at the time.

A crowd incited by Trump, who held a rally to promote baseless claims of election fraud, violently entered the building, killing five people.