Ronna McDaniel, former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), said Sunday that she does not back former President Trump’s commitment to liberate anyone imprisoned for crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol rioting.
Trump has repeatedly promised to pardon those he refers to as “patriots,” arguing that their imprisonment was due to political reasons following a violent crowd’s storming of the Capitol.
“I’d like to be extremely clear. The violence that took place on January 6 is reprehensible. It does not represent our country. It certainly does not represent my party,” McDaniel stated during an NBC “Meet the Press” interview with Kristen Welker on Sunday.
“If you attacked our Capitol… and you’ve been convicted, then that should stay,” she went on to say.
McDaniel told Welker that she is only now expressing her views because she did not want to argue with the former president while leading the RNC.
She told the crowd, “As the RNC chair, you have a responsibility to represent the entire team.” “Right now, I can be a little more myself. This is what I believe.
“I do not believe that violence should be part of our political debate, whether Republican or Democrat.” And I disagree with him on that,” she added. “I agree with him on a variety of other issues. Let’s close the border. Let’s make sure they have a solid wage. Let’s make sure we do a lot of excellent things. However, I don’t believe we should release those who physically attacked Capitol Hill police officers and the Capitol.
Trump’s pledges of pardons and “patriot” words have sparked bipartisan outrage for downplaying political violence.
The Justice Department reports that the Capitol disturbances have resulted in the arrest of over 1,350 people, including over 400 for attacking police officers.
