MADISON, Wis. — Extreme right-wing politician Brad Schimel is once again defending January 6th insurrectionists, this time backing President Trump’s pardons for violent rioters who assaulted police officers and threatened our democracy. 

This isn’t the first time Schimel has gone out of his way to defend the insurrectionists. Earlier this month, he took to right-wing talk radio to voluntarily defend the January 6 insurrectionists, arguing that they didn’t get a “fair shot” in court. Wisconsinites deserve a Supreme Court justice that holds criminals accountable—not a partisan politician who makes excuses for violent insurrectionists.

See more from CBS 58:

CBS 58: Schimel supports presidential pardons, defends Jan. 6 rioters

• President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon those who were convicted of violent crimes or pleaded guilty to committing violent crimes during the Jan. 6 attack is shaping up to be an issue in Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court race.
   
• On Monday, Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel said anyone convicted for assaulting a police officer during the 2021 attack should be held accountable but also voiced support for President Trump’s power to issue pardons.
   
• “Presidents have the power to pardon,” said Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general backed by conservatives. “President Biden has issued pardons. President Trump has now issued pardons as he’s come in and presidents over history have done that. It’s a power they have. I don’t object to them utilizing that power.”
   
• His comments come as Trump has received bipartisan criticism after granting clemency to 1,500 people involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection, including pardons to many who attacked members of law enforcement.
   
• Schimel also reiterated prosecutors “overreached” by charging nonviolent offenders during Jan. 6th but added anyone who engaged in violence on Jan. 6 “should have been prosecuted” and “held accountable.”