Former leader of the Republican National Committee (RNC) Ronna McDaniel stated on Sunday that she does not approve of former President Trump’s plan to free individuals who are in jail due to involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Trump has repeatedly pledged to pardon those he sees as “patriots,” arguing they were detained for political reasons following a violent intrusion into the Capitol Building.
“I want to be very clear. The violence that occurred on January 6 is not acceptable. It does not reflect our country, and certainly does not represent my party,” McDaniel expressed in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview with Kristen Welker on Sunday.
“If you attacked our Capitol, and have been mistreated and found guilty, then that should remain,” she stated.
McDaniel informed Welker that she is now expressing her disagreement because she did not want to oppose the former president while leading the RNC.
“When you’re the RNC chair, you typically take one for the team,” she stated. “At this moment, I am able to be a little more authentic. This is what I believe.”
“I don’t think violence should be part of our political discussion, whether Republican or Democrat. And I differ with him on that,” she reiterated. “I agree with him on a variety of other issues. Let’s secure the border. Let’s ensure good incomes for people. Let’s accomplish many great things. But on that point, I don’t believe we should be releasing individuals who violently attacked Capitol Hill police officers and the Capitol.”
Trump’s assurances of pardons and references to “patriots” have attracted criticism from both sides for downplaying political violence.
More than 1,350 individuals have been arrested for offenses related to the Capitol riots, including over 400 charged with assaulting police officers,
according to the Justice Department. according Former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel said Sunday that she doesn’t support former President Trump’s promise to free people imprisoned for crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Trump has repeatedly promised to pardon who he calls “patriots,” claiming they were jailed for political reasons after a violent…
