Former President Trump defends Jan. 6 rioters; Republican officials speak out

Former President Donald Trump suggested a possible 2024 candidacy on Saturday. In a campaign-style rally, he stated that if he were re-elected, he would consider pardoning those who were charged in connection with the deadly January 6th U.S. capitol riot.

“If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6th fairly, we will treat them fairly,” shared Trump.

He told supporters at a Texas rally Saturday those charged have been treated unreasonably. One of his biggest allies in the U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham called those remarks “inappropriate.” Sen. Graham says those who attacked the capitol should not be given an incentive to do so again.

“Well, I think it’s inappropriate. I don’t want to reinforce that defiling the capitol was okay,” stated Graham. “I want to deter people who did what they did on January 6th and those who did it. I hope they go to jail and get the book thrown at them because they deserve it.”

Republican Governor of New Hampshire Chris Sununu also added that holding those rioters accountable was a part of good leadership.

Trump did not explicitly say he will run for president in 2024. As of now, the Department of Justice has charged more than 700 in connection with the attack on the capitol.

Zitlali Solache is a student in Florida International University, pursuing her Masters degree in Spanish-Language Broadcast Journalism. Zitlali Solache is Mexican American and has a passion for storytelling and news. She has interned for WPBT PBS, WSVN Channel 7 and STEP Univision. After graduation, Zitlali aspires to become a reporter/anchor in her hometown Miami, FL.