South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham is among an increasing number of GOP lawmakers to criticize Donald Trump for promising to issue pardons to Jan 6 insurrectionists.
On a radio interview on September 1, Trump indicated that if elected again, he’d look at pardons for those who stormed the capitol: “I mean full pardons with an apology to many.”
Trump’s comments faced immediate backlash from Democrats, but also made some GOP figures uncomfortable.
The Hill approached several lawmakers and asked their opinion. Lindsey Graham, who is normally a devout Trump ally, was among those to break rank, calling it a “bad idea.”
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“Pardons are given to people who admit misconduct, rehabilitate themselves. They’re not supposed to be used for other purposes,” he said.
“It reinforces violence. The people who defiled the Capitol and took the law in their own hands deserve to be brought to justice,” he added.
Related: Lindsey Graham may want to stay off Twitter today
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, also normally a Trump ally, echoed Graham’s comments.
“I don’t think potential candidates should hold pardons out as a promise. It’s somewhat problematic for me on a moral level and an ethical level — sort of like promising other giveaways to particular individuals.
“I prefer avoiding those kinds of things,” he said.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds agreed.
“I was there. This was truly violent. People were injured, people were killed. I have very little mercy for the individuals that were involved in that activity that day … I think these folks need to be punished.”
Utah Senator Mitt Romney, who has often criticized Donald Trump, was another leading figure to criticize the suggestion of pardons.
The Hill notes other GOP figures have not criticized Trump over the remarks. Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley said acts of violence must face punishment. However, they feared some people who peacefully protested on the day were receiving unduly harsh treatment at the hands of the justice system.
“The Biden Justice Department has used Jan. 6 and the violent acts of a few to justify persecuting the peaceful protest and political speech of the many,” Cruz said. “It is wildly inconsistent.
Lindsey Graham’s flip-flopping with Donald Trump
Graham unequivocally denounced Donald Trump before the 2016 election but then morphed into one of his lap dogs. He has, on rare occasions, voiced criticism. The day after the Jan 6th insurrection, Graham took to the Senate floor to denounce what happened. He also said Joe Biden had been lawfully elected.
Trump has previously floated the idea of pardoning the Jan. 6 rioters. He mentioned it at a rally in Texas in late January. On that occasion, too, Graham voiced his opposition, calling the suggestion “inappropriate” in an interview with CBS News.
“I don’t want to send any signal that it was OK to defile the Capitol. There are other groups with causes that may want to go down to the violent path that these people get pardoned.”
That prompted Trump to blast Graham as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only), telling Newsmax Graham, “doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.”
Related: Lindsey Graham says Trump can’t be prosecuted or–hot damn!–there might be “riots in the streets!”
Jim
As if Lindsey wouldn’t accept a pardon
Mister P
Any Senator or Representative who doesn’t condemn the idea of dangling pardons by a presidential candidate should be removed from office.
Me2
It sounds like bribery; pardons for votes. But any official or political candidate who aligns himself with violent criminals should automatically be disqualified from ever holding public office.
RIGay
Well, GOP. Too little, too late.
novadude
The Orange Buffoon’s statement is a quid-pro-quo on it’s face. He’s essentially offering a bribe to all of the insurrectionists so they will work to re-elect him in 2024.
He needs to be in jail.
LumpyPillows
Lindsey has zero credibility. None. He’s simply terrible. Just like the rest of them.
moviemag
The Trump-Graham romance has been so rocky…
IanHunter
I am wondering why Lindsey still is in his glass closet.
DBMC
Traitor says what?
Kangol2
Oh Lady G, give it a rest! Of course dangling pardons is wrong and very likely illegal. But trying to help subvert a legitimate election, in the state of Georgia (where you’ve been ordered to testify) or the United States is also wrong and illegal. Yet you still clasp your hems and hurry after that psycho traitor Don the Con. What gives, girl, what gives?
SDR94103
please stop posting anything about this hag. Including his ugly azz photo.
bachy
A statement like that is a coward’s call to violence. Failure 45 is going down, and like the many depraved despots before him, he will do everything he can to bring the country down with him – as he circles the toilet of history.
johncp56
?? can you Pardon anyone after your presidency, I hope he gets his day LOL in court, as for Lindsey i,m not good with hateful closeted log cabin self-loathers and vote against anyone, I hate calling Lindsey gay reference as being gay myself i do not want him on my team or near me
Jimmynj
Lindsey is a spineless wimp. In about 5 minutes, he will change his mind and start sucking Trump off again.