A Minnesota family was among the roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants who were pardoned or had their cases ordered dismissed by President Donald Trump Monday evening in one of his first acts in the White House.
“Our family is so grateful to President Donald Trump for remembering those who stood by his side in the face of corruption, theft and tyranny, on January 6th,” the Westbury-James family said in a statement to Alpha News.
Trump’s pardon order said the action “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.”
It states that the president will “grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.” The pardon also commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and ordered the dismissal of all pending cases.
Among those who were pardoned are 15 Minnesotans, including four members of the Westbury-James family: Aaron James, Isaac Westbury, Jonah Westbury, and Robert Westbury. All four of the men faced prison time for being at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Isaac and Aaron were facing up to 20 years in prison, while Robert and Jonah were facing up to 2 years.
Aaron previously told Alpha News that he and his brother, Isaac, were facing larger sentences as they helped Rosanne Boyland, a Trump supporter who died that day, by holding up a shield to block her from being sprayed with mace while others performed CPR on her.
According to their wife and mother, Rosemarie Westbury of Lindstrom, Minn., the four were arrested after a former classmate reported them to the FBI after Jonah posted some photos from their trip on Snapchat.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice filed a motion to have the cases against the Westbury-James family dismissed with prejudice.
“We are also thankful to our fellow Minnesota patriots who have supported us from the beginning, your support has been overwhelming and humbling. To Liz Collin, Alpha News, and all true journalists who took the time and risk to seek the truth, report it, and stand on principles, we thank you. Most importantly, we thank God for having mercy on this nation, and continuing to bless the USA,” the Westbury-James family said.
The other Minnesotans pardoned include Victoria White, Jack Johnson, Frank Bratjan, Caleb Fuller, Martin Cudo, Kenneth Fuller, Daniel Johnson, Brian Mock, Paul Orta Jr., Nicholas Fuller, and Jordan Stotts.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
