Mike Collins, the GA-10 congressman running for Senate in Georgia, posted on January 6, 2025 that the Capitol rioters were "peaceful grandmothers" and that he was thankful Trump would pardon them; two weeks later the President issued a full, complete and unconditional pardon to January 6 defendants, whose attack had injured more than 140 law enforcement officers. In 2023 Collins had posted, "Release all J6 political prisoners now".
In August 2026 Collins answered "That’s easy, yes sir" when a pardoned January 6 defendant asked whether the government should compensate people like him; the administration's fund was never created. As a 2022 candidate he claimed Trump won Georgia in 2020, though Georgia counted the votes three times.
Mike Collins's Statements on January 6, the Pardons and the 2020 Election
- Collins Called the January 6 Rioters "Peaceful Grandmothers" and Welcomed Trump's Promised Pardons, in January 2025. On January 6, 2025, as a member of Congress, Mike Collins posted that on January 6, 2021 "thousands of peaceful grandmothers gathered in Washington" to tour the Capitol, and closed: "Thankfully, President Trump has announced that, on day one of his presidency, he will grant pardons to nonviolent defendants". Two weeks later the President issued a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted for January 6 and commuted 14 sentences. The attack had injured more than 140 law enforcement officers, and by the Justice Department's count 608 defendants were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement.
- Collins Demanded the Release of "All J6 Political Prisoners" in March 2023. On March 7, 2023, two months after taking his House seat, Collins posted, "I've seen enough. Release all J6 political prisoners now", as Fox News aired Capitol security footage (Newsweek). As a candidate in September 2021 he had told the "Justice for J6" rally in Washington, "We have political prisoners". At the time, Newsweek reported, Approximately 518 people have pleaded guilty to crimes in connection with the riot, and 235 receiving a custodial sentence.
- Collins Told a Pardoned January 6 Defendant "That's Easy, Yes Sir" on Payouts, in August 2026. At a Savannah breakfast on August 11, 2026, a pardoned January 6 defendant asked Collins whether he would support the "victims of political weaponization" compensation fund or similar payments to "Jan. 6-ers," and Collins answered, "when the federal government harms you, then yes, they have a liability to you" and "That’s easy, yes sir" (Georgia Recorder). The fund was never created: it was announced as a $1.776 billion settlement fund, a judge has frozen the fund’s formation, and Blanche formally rescinded the plan last week before his confirmation as attorney general, with no payment reported. Blanche then said he and the president would support passing a similar measure through Congress.
- Collins Claimed "Donald Trump Won Georgia" in 2020; Georgia Counted the Votes Three Times. As a candidate on January 13, 2022, Collins posted: "Joe Biden and the Democrats stole the 2020 election. Donald Trump won Georgia". Georgia's votes in the 2020 presidential race were counted three times, including once by hand, and each count affirmed Joe Biden's win (AP via WABE).
What the January 6 Pardons Mike Collins Called For Have Meant, Including in Georgia
- A Savannah pardon. The Savannah man who asked Collins about payouts, Dominic Box, said he spent 18 months in prison before his pardon. Box was convicted on two felony counts of civil disorder and four misdemeanors, and court documents say he was part of a group that pushed through officers at the entryway to the Capitol Crypt (Georgia Recorder).
- Pardons nationally. Of the people the January 2025 proclamation freed or cleared, Lawfare found At least 97 of the more than 1,500 individuals granted clemency were later arrested, charged or convicted in other cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mike Collins on Democracy and January 6
What is Mike Collins's record on democracy and January 6 under Trump?
Mike Collins called the January 6 rioters "peaceful grandmothers" and welcomed Trump's promised pardons in January 2025, after demanding in 2023 that the House release all J6 political prisoners. In August 2026 he answered "That’s easy, yes sir" when a pardoned January 6 defendant asked about government payouts. As a 2022 candidate he claimed Trump won Georgia in 2020.
Does Mike Collins support paying January 6 defendants?
Mike Collins told pardoned January 6 defendant Dominic Box in Savannah on August 11, 2026 that when the government harms someone "they have a liability to you", answering his question about a compensation fund for "Jan. 6-ers." The administration's $1.776 billion fund was never created, but the attorney general said he would support a similar measure through Congress.
Did Mike Collins say the 2020 election was stolen?
Yes. Mike Collins posted on January 13, 2022, as a congressional candidate, that "Joe Biden and the Democrats stole the 2020 election". Georgia counted its 2020 presidential votes three times, including a hand count, and each count affirmed Democrat Joe Biden’s win.
Last updated: 2026-10-25