Former President Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Clinton, Iowa, urged President Biden to release Jan. 6 rioters who are serving prison time for their involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Speaking on the third anniversary of the deadly incident, Trump requested Biden to "release the J6 hostages" and emphasized that it could be done easily.

However, it remains uncertain who exactly Trump was referring to, as many of those convicted of misdemeanors have already completed their sentences. Over 1,200 individuals have been charged in connection with the Capitol riot, with more than 700 pleading guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Additionally, over 100 have been convicted at trials in Washington, D.C.

A recent CBS News poll released on Saturday revealed that two-thirds of Republicans support Trump's suggestion of granting pardons to those involved in the Jan. 6 attacks. However, Trump's comments drew criticism from former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, who called them "disgraceful" during an appearance on "Face the Nation."

President Biden, on the other hand, referred to the rioters as "Trump's mob" in a campaign speech in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, renewing a central message of his reelection campaign. He labeled the incident as a "violent assault" perpetrated by "insurrectionists" rather than patriots, highlighting their aim to undermine the Constitution.

Amid ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the riot, three more fugitives wanted in connection with Jan. 6 were captured on Saturday. According to investigators, 140 police officers were assaulted during the Capitol attack, resulting in the tragic deaths of five officers in the following days and weeks.

In a separate development, the U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to evaluate whether Trump should be ineligible to appear on Colorado's Republican primary ballot due to his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021. Last month, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Trump violated the Constitution's insurrection clause, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, disqualifying him. Maine's secretary of state has also determined Trump's disqualification from appearing on the state's primary ballot but has suspended the decision to allow time for Trump's campaign to appeal.

As the debate surrounding the Jan. 6 riot continues, the nation remains divided on how to address the actions of those involved, with Trump's call for their release receiving support among Republicans. The legal and political fallout of the incident continues, underscoring its lasting impact on the nation's discourse and institutions.