Donald Trump promised his supporters that if he received the presidency once more, he would pardon at the least among the January 6 rioters who’ve been prosecuted. “Tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages pardons to get them out,” he informed the group at Capitol One Area on Monday evening. “And as quickly as I go away I’m going to the Oval Workplace, and might be signing pardons for lots of people.”
Many outstanding Republicans appear to agree with Trump’s view that the January 6 insurrectionists, together with males convicted of assaulting law enforcement officials, are authorities “hostages.” The view appears to be that Democrats are utilizing the occasions of January 6 as an excuse to hold out what Trump calls a “witch hunt.”
Outstanding Republicans weren’t all the time blasé about January 6. Instantly following the assault on the Capitol, and even into the next yr, many main Republicans condemned the assault on the Capitol and the law enforcement officials assigned to guard it.
As an antidote to amnesia, right here is an incomplete compilation of remarks concerning the January 6 violence made by Republicans who now are searching for Cupboard-level positions within the new Trump administration, or are in any other case in Trump’s inside circle.
Elise Stefanik, United Nations Ambassador-Designate, January 6, 2021 (press launch now deleted): “That is really a tragic day for America. I absolutely condemn the harmful violence and destruction that occurred at the moment at the USA Capitol. People have a Constitutional proper to protest and freedom of speech, however violence in any kind is completely unacceptable and anti-American. The perpetrators of this un-American violence and destruction have to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the regulation.”
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State nominee, January 6, 2021: “There’s nothing patriotic about what is going on on Capitol Hill. That is third world fashion anti-American anarchy.”
Kristi Noem, Homeland Safety Secretary nominee, January 6, 2021 (tweet now deleted): “We’re all entitled to peacefully protest. Violence shouldn’t be part of that. What’s occurring within the Capitol proper now should cease.”
Doug Burgum, Inside Secretary nominee, January 6, 2021: “We help the appropriate to peacefully protest. The violence occurring at our nation’s capitol is reprehensible and doesn’t symbolize American values, and must cease instantly.”
Vivek Ramaswamy, Division of Authorities Effectivity co-leader, September 13, 2022: “It was a darkish day for democracy. The loser of the final election refused to concede the race, claimed the election was stolen, raised a whole lot of tens of millions of {dollars} from loyal supporters, and is contemplating operating for govt workplace once more. I’m referring, after all, to Donald Trump.”
Kevin McCarthy, then–Speaker of the Home, January 13, 2021: “The president bears accountability for Wednesday’s assault on Congress by mob rioters. He ought to have instantly denounced the mob when he noticed what was unfolding. These info require rapid motion from President Trump—settle for his share of accountability, quell the brewing unrest, and be certain that President-Elect Biden is ready to efficiently start his time period. And the president’s rapid motion additionally deserves congressional motion, which is why I believe a fact-finding fee and a censure decision can be prudent. Sadly, that’s not the place we’re at the moment.”
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator, January 6, 2021: “Those that made this assault on our authorities have to be recognized and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the regulation. Their actions are repugnant to democracy.”
Mike Lee, Utah senator, January 6, 2021: “The violence at the USA Capitol is totally unacceptable. It’s time for the protesters to disperse. My employees and I are protected. We’re working to complete our constitutional obligation to complete counting votes at the moment.”
Ted Cruz, Texas senator, January 5, 2022: “A violent terrorist assault on the Capitol the place we noticed the women and men of regulation enforcement … threat their lives to defend the women and men who serve on this Capitol.”
Nikki Haley, 2024 presidential candidate, January 12, 2021: “We have to acknowledge [Trump] allow us to down. He went down a path he shouldn’t have, and we shouldn’t have adopted him, and we shouldn’t have listened to him. And we will’t let that ever occur once more.”
Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida and 2024 presidential candidate, January 6, 2021: “Violence or rioting of any variety is unacceptable and the perpetrators should face the complete weight of the regulation.”
Steve Scalise, Louisiana consultant, now–Home Majority Chief, January 12, 2021: “Like many People, I’m deeply upset and outraged over the home terrorism we witnessed final week in our nation’s Capitol. It’s clear that tensions in our nation are dangerously excessive. It’s incumbent upon leaders to be targeted, in the beginning, on uniting our nation and guaranteeing a clean transition of energy to the Biden administration over the approaching days.”
John Barrasso, Wyoming senator, now–Senate Majority Whip, January 6, 2021: “This violence and destruction haven’t any place in our republic. It should finish now.”
Tom Emmer, Minnesota consultant, now–Majority Whip of the Home of Representatives, January 6, 2022: “One yr in the past, we noticed an unacceptable show of violence that runs counter to every part we stand for as a rustic. These accountable for the violence should proceed to be held accountable, and Congress should concentrate on offering our women and men in regulation enforcement across the Capitol—and throughout the nation—with the sources, coaching, and help they should guarantee one thing like this by no means occurs once more.”
Lisa McClain, Michigan consultant, now–chair of the Home Republican Convention, January 6, 2021: “Right this moment was an atrocious day for Democracy. What began out as Members of Congress following a sacred and Constitutional custom, rapidly was overcome by violent protestors. I wholeheartedly condemn the violence and vandalism on the Capitol and all who participated in such evil conduct. These vile acts are a slap within the face to peace-loving People.”
Kevin Hern, Oklahoma consultant, now–Chair of the Home Republican Coverage Committee, January 7, 2021: “Our Capitol constructing has been an emblem of American freedoms and democracy world wide, but it was invaded by regulation breakers searching for to undermine our republican type of authorities and erode these beliefs. There isn’t any excuse for the violent actions witnessed within the halls of Congress. This summer time, when Antifa rioters burned American cities to the bottom and held Portland hostage for over 100 days, I known as for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of these concerned. I think about the crimes dedicated on the Capitol at the moment to be of the identical magnitude, and I help the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of these concerned within the violent acts to the complete extent of the regulation.”
Mario Díaz-Balart, Florida consultant, January 6, 2021: “The Capitol constructing is the middle and sacred image of democracy. Right this moment’s violent actions undermine the rules and values that our nation was based on. People who broke into the US Capitol or assaulted our regulation enforcement ought to face the complete penalties of the regulation.”
Dan Crenshaw, Texas consultant, January 7, 2021: “On Wednesday the Capitol of essentially the most highly effective nation the world has ever identified was stormed by an offended mob. People absolutely by no means thought they’d see such a scene: members of Congress barricaded contained in the Home chamber, Capitol Police trampled, and 4 People lifeless. A lady was shot close to the elevator I exploit each day to enter the Home flooring. It was a show not of patriotism however of frenzy and anarchy. The actions of some overshadowed the first rate intentions of many.”
Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming senator, January 6, 2021: “Name it what it’s: An assault on the Capitol is an assault on democracy. Right this moment we try to make use of the democratic course of to deal with grievances. This violence inhibits our skill to try this. Violent protests have been unacceptable this summer time and are unacceptable now.”
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, then–Washington consultant, January 6, 2021 (press launch now deleted): “What occurred at the moment and continues to unfold within the nation’s capital is disgraceful and un-American. Thugs assaulted Capitol Police Officers, breached and defaced our Capitol Constructing, put individuals’s lives in peril, and disregarded the values we maintain pricey as People. To anybody concerned, disgrace on you. We should have a peaceable switch of energy. The one purpose for my objection was to present voice to the priority that governors and courts unilaterally modified election procedures with out the desire of the individuals and out of doors of the legislative course of. I’ve been constant in my perception that People ought to make the most of the Constitutional instruments and authorized processes accessible to hunt solutions to their questions concerning the 2020 election. What we’ve got seen at the moment is illegal and unacceptable. I’ve determined I’ll vote to uphold the Electoral School outcomes and I encourage Donald Trump to sentence and put an finish to this insanity.”
Rick Scott, Florida senator, January 6, 2021: “Everybody has a proper to peacefully protest. Nobody has a proper to commit violence. What occurred at the moment on the Capitol is disgraceful and un-American. It isn’t what our nation stands for.”
John Thune, South Dakota senator, now–Senate Majority Chief, January 6, 2021: “I hope that the categories of people that stormed the capitol at the moment get a transparent message that they won’t cease our democracy from transferring ahead.”
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee senator, January 6, 2021: “These actions on the US Capitol by protestors are really despicable and unacceptable. Whereas I’m protected and sheltering in place, these protests are prohibiting us from doing our constitutional obligation. I condemn them within the strongest doable phrases. We’re a nation of legal guidelines.”
John Kennedy, Louisiana senator, January 6, 2021: “I condemn this violent assault on the democratic course of & won’t be intimidated by a mob that confuses chaos & destruction with energy & knowledge. I’ll proceed to work for LA.”
Steve Daines, Montana senator, January 6, 2021: “Right this moment is a tragic day for our nation. The destruction and violence we noticed at our Capitol at the moment is an assault on our democracy, our Structure and the rule of regulation, and should not be tolerated. As People, we imagine in the appropriate to peaceable protest. We should rise above the violence. We should stand collectively. We won’t let at the moment’s violence deter Congress from certifying the election. We should restore confidence in our electoral course of. We should, and we are going to, have a peaceable and orderly transition of energy.”
Tim Scott, South Carolina senator and 2024 presidential candidate, January 6, 2021: “The violence occurring at the USA Capitol proper now’s merely unacceptable, and I absolutely condemn it.”