Former President Donald Trump described South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham as a “nice guy” but a “RINO” before declaring that the senator “doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.” The comments were sparked by disagreement between the two Republicans about what the fate of the January 6 prisoners should be. Trump announced at a recent rally that if elected again he will issue pardons for at least some of the prisoners.
Trump replies to Lindsey Graham
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump was asked for his thoughts about the fact that Lindsey Graham had described the possibility of pardons as “inappropriate.”
Trump replied, without pausing, “well Lindsey Graham’s wrong.” He then made sure to note that he thinks Graham is a “nice guy” before attacking his remarks.
The former president has been gradually becoming more vocal about the plight of his supporters who are dead or in prison for protesting the results of the 2020 election.
At his latest rally appearance Trump promised that, when appropriate, January 6 prisoners would receive pardons should he return to the White House.
Democrats and Lindsey Graham were shocked by the idea, but Trump has only doubled down. In the Newsmax interview he pointed out the absurdity of the different standards being enforced.
BLM and Antifa rioters stormed and burned federal buildings in 2020 and have been generally overlooked by prosecutors while anyone remotely close to the events at the Capitol is stalked relentlessly by federal agents.
Is he a RINO?
Trump particularly focused on the misinformation peddled by the mainstream media regarding deaths at the Capitol; discussions about the “deadly riot” on January 6 disregard the fact that the only person who was killed that day was a Trump supporter.
It is strange that Lindsey Graham believes that any pardons would be “inappropriate” given his own actions following the 2020 election.
Graham vocally supported Trump and called for an investigation into potential voter fraud. He voted against the creation of the January 6 committee and opposed Trump’s second impeachment.
If the senator felt so strongly at the time that the election results were not legitimate beyond a reasonable doubt, why this reaction to Trump’s comments?
Graham has attempted to both maintain a reputation as a bipartisan operator in the Senate and keep himself closely aligned with the Republican base and Trump supporters.
Everyone’s criticism of Lindsey Graham tends to be that he isn’t consistent enough in his stances. Trump, at least, appears to have finally made up his mind about where exactly the senator stands.
