On multiple occasions throughout his successful campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to swiftly issue pardons for Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants who'd been convicted of nonviolent crimes.

Following his decisive victory last week, Trump is now being urged to make good on that campaign vow and grant such clemency on his first day in office, according to TheBlaze.

One likely recipient of Trump's promised mercy would be Steve Baker, a reporter for TheBlaze who was present at the Capitol during the riot in his capacity as a journalist but was nonetheless charged with several nonviolent misdemeanors by the Biden-Harris Justice Department as though he was just another protester or rioter.

Trump has vowed clemency for some Jan. 6 defendants

In March, ABC News reported that then-former President Trump vowed in a social media post that one of his first acts upon taking office if elected would be to "free" the Jan. 6 defendants who'd been "wrongfully imprisoned" for their alleged participation in the protest-turned-riot in 2021.

Though he hasn't gotten specific about who would receive a pardon, he has repeatedly indicated that nonviolent offenders would be the most likely recipients, as he once explained in 2023, "I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can't say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control."

NBC News reported in July that Trump reiterated that promise during a panel discussion with the National Association of Black Journalists, and replied when asked if he would pardon Jan. 6 defendants, "Oh, absolutely, I would. If they're innocent, I would pardon them. They were convicted by a very tough system."

The outlets noted that Trump on numerous occasions has referred to the Jan. 6 defendants as "hostages" and "patriots" who have been charged and convicted as "political prisoners" by an increasingly partisan and weaponized "two systems of justice."

And now, with Trump's victory and those remarks in mind, Business Insider reported that several nonviolent Jan. 6 defendants have filed motions seeking postponements of their cases in the past week in anticipation of soon receiving a pardon or commutation of their sentence from the incoming president who has looked upon them favorably.

Baker pleaded guilty to nonviolent misdemeanors to avoid a show trial

Over at TheBlaze, it was noted that investigative journalist Steve Baker wasn't even a participant in the protest-turned-riot, much less engaged in any violence, but was arrested earlier this year and charged with four nonviolent misdemeanors that are the equivalent of trespassing -- "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building."

He had previously rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors but now, following a judge's rejection of his request to delay a trial until next year and a desire to avoid an inevitable "shaming exercise" in a D.C. courtroom where the outcome has been predetermined, has pleaded guilty to all four counts and is due to be sentenced in March.

Setting aside those defendants who did engage in violence against the police or vandalized Capitol property, who should be held accountable for legitimately committed crimes, the outlet urged President-elect Trump to make good on his vow of clemency for nonviolent offenders.

"He needs to deliver on day one"

"Trump promised pardons and clemency, and he needs to deliver on day one," TheBlaze said. "He would set the tone for the next two years, demonstrating with the stroke of a pen that this time will be different. The administrative state would be on notice that their days of abusing of power with impunity are over."

"Pardon Steve Baker so he can continue his vital work. Pardon the nonviolent protesters and take a second look at the other cases, such as the Proud Boys’ and Oath Keepers’ 'seditious conspiracy' trials," the outlet continued. "And, for the sake of their grieving families, posthumously pardon Matthew Perna, Nejourde 'Jord' Meacham, Mark Aungst, and Christopher Georgia, all of whom committed suicide in the face of weaponized prosecution.

TheBlaze added, "Do the right thing, Mr. President, and do it without delay."