Some Republicans Don’t Talk About Trump’s Promise to Forgive Jan. 6 Rioters

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Although some Republicans have spoken out against the idea of ​​pardoning people convicted of attacking the U.S. Capitol in January. 6, 2021, as promised by former President Donald Trump over the weekend, others said they were tired of answering questions about him and they preferred to talk. other topics.

“The obsession with the former president is becoming disgusting to me,” the Sen. complained. Kevin Cramer (RN.D.) on Monday when asked about the dominant figure in his party who is courting another run as president in 2024.

“It’s kind of interesting, but considering what we deal with here every day, it’s a low priority,” Cramer added about Trump’s latest comments about the unrest in the Capitol. The North Dakota Republican encouraged journalists to focus instead on the Biden administration and economic problems, such as inflation and high energy prices.

Speaking at a rally in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday, Trump offered his support for those who stormed the Capitol and called on his followers to stage a massive protest in case prosecutors act to file charges against him.

“If I run and if I win, we will treat those people fairly from Jan. We will treat them fairly, “Trump said.” And if they need pardon, we will grant them pardon. Because they are not treated fairly. “

The proposal reaped bipartisan criticism this week. Sen. called. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the idea is “to blame,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), an ally of Trump, said it was “inappropriate.”

“If you commit the crime, take the time. You should not be forgiven for that,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) Added on Monday.

But other Republicans declined to comment when pressed about the issue on Monday, including Sens. Tom Cotton (Ark.) And Ben Sasse (Neb.).

Si Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, also declined to weigh in, calling the possibility of pardons for the Jan. 6 rioters just “speculation.”

Si Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), A possible 2024 presidential candidate who objected to the 2020 election results after the Capitol attack, said it was up to Trump if he wanted to consider pardons for supporters convicted of crimes as part of his campaign.

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“If he wants to run in 2024 and make that part of his campaign platform, that’s up to him. My own view is that for people who have committed crimes – actual crimes – they should be prosecuted … whether it’s here or in Portland or St. Louis. Louis, ”said Hawley, who seeks to be similar to the violence that occurred during the racial justice protests in 2020.

Cramer also adjourned Trump on the matter.

“If he runs and gets elected … if he feels at that point that there are people being unfairly or wrongly incarcerated, he has a right in the world to do that,” he said.

More than 760 people have been charged in the Capitol insurgency so far.

More than 140 police officers were injured in the attack as they fought Trump supporters-some of whom used police shields and batons to beat officers-inside and outside halls of Congress. Four U.S. Capitol Police officers who were in the building that day died by suicide following the attack.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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