Republicans have widely panned Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that he’d pardon people charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot.
Of course, Trump would first have to win reelection.
The former president first floated the idea at a rally in Texas over the weekend.
“If I run and I win, we will treat those people from January 6th fairly,” Trump said. “We will treat them fairly. And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly.” (RELATED: Jan. 6 Committee Probe Aimed At Trump Proves…What?)
Appearing on CBS’ Sunday morning news program “Face the Nation,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called Trump’s remarks “inappropriate” before elaborating. “I don’t want to send any signal that it was OK to defile the Capitol.”
WATCH:
WATCH: @LindseyGrahamSC responds to President Trump dangling the possibility of pardons for January 6 Capitol rioters: “I think it is inappropriate. I don’t want to reinforce that defiling the capitol is okay.” pic.twitter.com/3HFTspixiY
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 30, 2022
Other Republicans appeared equally dismayed.
“Of course not,” GOP Gov. Chris Sununu says he does not agree with fmr. Pres. Trump that Jan. 6 rioters should be pardoned.
Adding, “I don’t need anyone to campaign with me,” when asked if he would like Trump to campaign with him for his reelection bid. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/gkT8AfSTOd
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) January 30, 2022
Trump’s statement about the Jan. 6 defendants followed months of criticism by a small but vocal minority on the right that he wasn’t doing enough. (RELATED: Capitol Riot vs. ‘Insurrection’ – America Divided 50-50 Along Partisan Lines – Despite Media Spin)
As Mediaite reports:
The issue of how Jan. 6 defendants are being treated centers largely around approximately 40 individuals being detained without bail in the District of Columbia jail, according to the New York Times. The Times reported that through their lawyers some have expressed concerns over lack of food and water, threats from guards, and sewage.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also criticized the conditions of the D.C. jail after after visiting in November.
More than 750 people have been arrested in connection to Jan. 6, with the majority either awaiting trials or working toward plea agreements. According to TIME, the median sentence received is 45 days, and some with low-level offenses have been sentenced to home detention, or required to pay fines and serve community service.
“What that un-select committee is doing and what the people are doing that are running those prisons, it’s a disgrace,” Trump said. “It’s a disgrace.”
So, what do you think? Do the people convicted for their role in the U.S. Capitol attack deserve clemency in some form? As always, tell us your thoughts in the comments below!