Convicted Jan. 6 rioter from Tampa Bay area celebrates Trump's pardon

Описание: Across Tampa Bay on Monday, people gathered to celebrate and condemn President Trump's inauguration.

At OCC Road House & Museum in Clearwater, hundreds gathered to celebrate this moment in history — bringing the energy of NFL playoffs to Monday morning politics.

Angel Villanueva said, "It's monumental. It means a lot to my family and I. Our country has been through so much and this man never stopped fighting."

As they watched a new presidency be ushered in, many hoped it would be the start of a new era.

Diana Wilson said, "I think it's a change in ideas, a change in perhaps the way the country will be going, so we're excited to look for the new things he'll bring with his administration, his support. I think he learned a lot in his first term and is going to make things even better in this term."

Some said President Trump's victory and the inauguration have them feeling emboldened and vindicated.

"Our speech and our opinions have been suppressed for years, and this is our coming out party!" Susan Williams said.

That also includes Robert Reeder, who spent three months in federal prison, charged with unlawful demonstration for the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

On Inauguration Day, he said he felt comfortable speaking to the media for the first time.

Reeder said, "I had a sense of distrust and fear of someone coming after me from the previous administration, so now that Trump is in office, I feel more free."

Hours before President Trump issued pardons for more than 1,500 people involved in the riots, Paul Hodgkins of Tampa said he felt good about the pardons.

Hodgkins was the first to be sentenced over a felony and spent eight months in prison.

"I can't tell you how happy I am and I know how happy so much of America is to be where we are today," he said.

Florida leaders vow to carry out Trump's vision including a focus on cracking down on immigration. Trump is bringing back his "Remain In Mexico" policy, designated cartels as terrorist organizations, and is also beginning the process to end birthright citizenship, however, it's likely to face legal challenges, considering it's enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

Meanwhile, for many, Inauguration Day was not something they chose to celebrate.


At Tampa City Hall, members of the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TAARPR) and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) gathered for a 'Rally to Stop the Trump Agenda.'

The protests in Tampa marked a number that took place across the nation.

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