Nearly six in ten Americans oppose the move, and concerns are growing about its security implications.
The decision has unsettled even some Republicans, who now ask who will bear responsibility if any of those pardoned resort to violence. The fears are not unfounded—just days after the pardons, two former rioters were already back in legal trouble. One was killed by police in Indiana while attempting to flee a traffic stop, and another was arrested in Florida for illegal firearm possession.
For Trump, the controversy also threatens to strain his traditionally strong relationship with law enforcement. The Capitol Police Officers Association issued a statement condemning both Trump’s mass pardons and a separate clemency decision by President Joe Biden, who pardoned a Virginia man convicted in the killing of a police officer. The statement argued that both moves sent a dangerous message about the value of police officers’ lives.
The Greek “Guardians” of the Capitol
The Capitol Police officers’ reaction carries a distinctly Greek flavor—its president, Gus Papathanasiou, is a Greek American originally from the city of Florina. Alongside fellow Greek Americans Yianni Gikas from Ikaria and Mike Hallas from Athens, Papathanasiou has formed a close-knit trio within the force, often referred to by their colleagues as the “Greek Guard” or the “Greek Patrol.”
The three officers, bonded by their shared heritage, often take their lunch breaks together, enjoying Greek coffee and reminiscing about home. “We miss Greece, of course,” Gikas says, “but professionally, there are advantages here.”
For the three officers, their connection to the Capitol runs deeper than just their daily patrols. They walk the hallways of the historic building, whose very walls bear the legacy of another Greek immigrant—Constantino Brumidi, the artist who painted The Apotheosis of Washington, the grand fresco inside the dome of the rotunda. “Every day, we’re surrounded by history, and in a way, we’re continuing a tradition of Greek presence here,” Gikas says.
The officers take pride in their work, but for Gikas and Hallas, there’s something extra special about patrolling the Capitol on motorcycles. Both men share a love for motorbikes, and their patrol shifts often feel like a blend of duty and passion. “Riding through these historic streets, surrounded by greenery, art, and monumental buildings—there’s no better place to do this job,” says Gikas, his face lighting up with enthusiasm.
Hallas nods in agreement, adding that interacting with visitors is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. “We get stopped all the time for photos—kids love the motorcycles, and tourists always ask questions,” he says. “It’s moments like those that remind us how unique this place is.”
Despite the weight of their responsibilities, the three officers say they never take for granted the privilege of working at the heart of American democracy. “The Capitol is more than just a government building,” Papathanasiou reflects. “It’s a front-row seat to history.”
Memories of January 6
Of all the incidents they have faced, none compare to the day of the Capitol riot. Papathanasiou was stationed in the south wing. Gikas was assigned to protect Vice President Mike Pence, the mob’s primary target for certifying the election results. Hallas, meanwhile, was on the front lines, physically battling rioters trying to force their way into the Capitol.
“We saw the crowd growing but never imagined what was coming,” Gikas recalls. “It happened so fast. At first, we were on our own. The Metropolitan Police Department stepped in when things became critical, but we were also waiting for the National Guard, and they never came. Michalis (Hallas) was on the front lines, and as we say in Greek he was fighting with the strength of a lion.”
Papathanasiou, who had testified before Congress in 2018 and 2019 about security weaknesses and low morale within the force, remains cautious in his public statements. While he avoids directly criticizing Trump’s decision, the Capitol Police Officers Association’s response—condemning both Trump’s and Biden’s pardons—suggests an effort to depoliticize the issue.
“Democrats and Republicans both need to support the police,” he says. “January 6 is still being debated in Congress because lawmakers lived through it firsthand. I just hope they’ve learned their lesson and will ensure we have the resources we need. As we say in law enforcement, ‘Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.’”
Questions about Police Brutality in the States
For Gikas, Hallas, and Papathanasiou, policing in the United States is vastly different from law enforcement in Greece. One of the biggest contrasts, they note, is the level of respect officers in the U.S. once enjoyed—a stark difference from the skepticism often directed at police in Greece.
“When we joined 20 years ago, people would stop and thank you for your service,” Gikas says. But things have changed. High-profile cases of police brutality, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and calls to defund the police have led to a shift in public perception.
In recent years, a series of violent encounters between police and civilians—many involving African American victims—has drawn international attention, fueling a perception in Europe that police brutality is endemic in the United States. Asked about this view, Papathanasiou argues that the American policing environment is fundamentally different from that of Greece or other European countries.
“In America, being a police officer means putting your life on the line every single day. In Greece, it’s not the same,” he says, pointing to the prevalence of firearms in the U.S. and the unpredictable nature of police work. “Here, you never know who is armed or what might happen during a routine stop.”
Just days ago, Capitol Police arrested a man near the Capitol who was armed and allegedly threatening to kill members of Trump’s cabinet. “These kinds of threats are part of the job,” Papathanasiou says. “It’s a level of risk that people in other countries don’t always understand.”
