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Donald Trump floated the idea of a blanket pardon for January 6 rioters before leaving office, according to a report by Politico.
The news comes as the former president has turned on one of his most loyal Republican allies, Lindsey Graham, after he dismissed Mr Trump’s latest suggestion that he would pardon rioters who stormed the US Capitol that have faced criminal sentences should he return to office in 2024.
The former president floated the idea over the weekend, putting him at odds even with many Republicans. When Mr Graham also took against it, Mr Trump told a Newsmax interviewer that his dogged ally “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and even called him a “RINO”.
Senator Graham stands by his comments, reiterating his position without mentioning Mr Trump.
As the 6 January House Select Committee looks into the former president’s role in sowing distrust over the outcome of the 2020 election, Democrat congressman Pete Aguilar of California, who is on the investigation panel, was asked if the comments about pardoning Capitol rioters amounted to witness tampering.
He replied: “Absolutely.”
Follow the latest developments.
Alexander Vindman sues Trump family and ex-White House officials for smear campaign
ICYMI: Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump Jr, ex-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and two former Trump White House officials, Julia Hahn and Daniel Scavino, for allegedly conspiring to retaliate against the decorated combat veteran after he testified during the 2019 House hearings that led to the first impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump.
Andrew Feinberg in Washinton, DC has the details for The Independent.
Vindman sues Trump Jr, Giuliani and ex-Trump White House officials
The former National Security Council official is seeking monetary damages from former president Donald Trump’s eldest son and three of the ex-president’s associates for conspiring to wage a smear campaign against him after he testified during the ex-president’s first impeachment
Graeme Massie3 February 2022 03:45
Trump ‘absolutely’ tampering with witnesses with pardon promise says Jan 6 committee member
California Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar has said that former President Donald Trump is “absolutely” tampering with witnesses as he dangles possible pardons if he gets elected again in 2024.
Mr Trump said at a rally in Texas over the weekend that “if I run and if I win” in 2024, “we will treat those people from January 6 fairly. We will treat them fairly. And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly”.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Oliver O’Connell3 February 2022 02:45
Marjorie Taylor Greene says Graham not a real friend to Trump
Mr Trump recently stated that he would look to pardon the 6 January insurrectionists if re-elected, a move which Senator Graham labelled as “dangerous” during a Sunday morning appearance on CBS.
Oliver O’Connell3 February 2022 01:45
Trump calls Graham a RINO for saying Capitol rioter should be punished
Former President Donald Trump appears to have soured on one of his most ardently oleaginous supporters, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, after the Palmetto State Republican said pro-Trump rioters who attacked the Capitol on 6 January 2021 should be jailed and not pardoned as the twice-impeached ex-president has suggested.
Oliver O’Connell3 February 2022 00:45
Alex Jones encourages Marjorie Taylor Greene to run for president
During an interview on Wednesday advertised as the “most censored broadcast in the world,” Mr Jones told Ms Greene that she would make a good candidate for president.
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 23:58
National Archives tells Trump it will turn over Pence records to Jan 6 committee
The National Archives has written to former President Donald Trump informing him that it will turn over the records of former Vice President Mike Pence to the House select Committee investigating the January 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Unless a court intervenes they will be handed on 3 March 2022, according to a letter from National Archivist David Ferriero sent to Mr Trump on Tuesday.
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 23:05
Son of New York judge who dressed as caveman at Capitol riot pleads guilty
The son of a New York judge who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 while dressed as a caveman has pleaded guilty to three counts during a virtual court hearing.
Aaron Mostofsky, 35, of Brooklyn, is charged with one felony count of civil disorder, one count of theft of government property, and one count of entering and remaining in a restricted building.
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 22:39
Voices: Downfall of the CNN boss who ‘helped make Trump the president’
Donald Trump called CNN boss Jeff Zucker ‘a sleaze bag’ but, Andrew Buncombe asks, does he owe him his political success?
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 22:17
Report: Trump considered mass pardons for Capitol rioters before leaving office
Donald Trump seriously considered issuing mass pardons for those involved with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021, in the final days of his presidency, according to reporting from Politico.
Before Joe Biden’s inauguration on 20 January, then-president Trump reportedly made three calls to an adviser to ask whether he should pardon a pro-Trump mob that
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 21:57
Lindsey Graham stands by Jan 6 rioter statement, despite Trump disapproval
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham stands his statement regarding pardons for January 6th rioters despite being called a “RINO” by former President Trump.
“As a conservative, I firmly believe in law and order and support the police.
“I reject politically motivated violence in all forms. Those who take the law into their own hands for political reasons — whether they are Antifa, Black Lives Matter protestors, the Proud Boys, or others —must be held accountable.
“I was in the Capitol on January 6 and know it was one of the darkest days in American history.
“I stand with the police officers who protect our streets, federal courthouses, and the United States Capitol against rioters. They deserve our respect and support and I will not second-guess the decisions they made under dire circumstances.
“For us to remain a nation of laws, not men, we must speak with one voice when it comes to politically motivated violence.
“All Americans are entitled to have a speedy trial and their day in court, but those who actively engage in violence for whatever political cause must be held accountable and not be forgiven.”
Oliver O’Connell2 February 2022 21:39