#pardons #paramilitaries #history
"In December 1924, a special investigation threatened to implicate Benito Mussolini, the prime minister of Italy, in the murder of a political opponent. It seemed possible that he could be impeached and arrested.
A month later during an address to parliament, Mussolini in effect took responsibility for the murder—and then declared himself dictator. 'If Fascism has been a criminal association, I am the head of that criminal association,' he shouted.
Mussolini replaced the special prosecutors overseeing the case with loyalists he trusted to whitewash the assassination. He then issued mass pardons, freeing scores of squadristi—members of the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party—who would go on to play a decisive role in the consolidation of fascist rule."
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/get-ready-for-trump-january-6th-pardons-paramilitary-history-mussolini-proud-boys-oath-keepers