(Headline USA) Former president Donald Trump slammed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as a “RINO” after the senator claimed it would be “inappropriate” to pardon Jan. 6 protestors.
“Lindsey Graham’s wrong. I mean, Lindsey’s a nice guy, but he’s a RINO. Lindsey’s wrong,” Trump told Newsmax this week. “Lindsey Graham doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about if he says that.”
TRUMP: ‘RINO’ Lindsey Graham “doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about” when the Senator says it would be inappropriate for Trump to potentially pardon Jan 6 defendants. @SchmittNYC pic.twitter.com/wrJeHTOWaF
— Newsmax (@newsmax) February 2, 2022
During a rally last weekend, Trump pledged to pardon the people who have been charged for their role in the Jan. 6 Capitol protest.
“If I run and I win, we will treat those people from Jan. 6 fairly,” Trump told the crowd. “We will treat them fairly, and if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly.”
Trump says if he’s re-elected, he may pardon people prosecuted for their actions on January 6th pic.twitter.com/VLlkGyUr32
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 30, 2022
When he was asked about Trump’s promise, Graham dismissed it as irresponsible.
“No, I don’t want to send any signal that it was OK to defile the Capitol,” he told CBS News. “I think it’s inappropriate. … I don’t want to do anything that would make this more likely in the future.”
Graham continued to defend his position, even after Trump called him out.
“As a conservative, I firmly believe in law and order and support the police,” Graham said in a statement.
“For us to remain a nation of laws, not men, we must speak with one voice when it comes to politically motivated violence,” he said. “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.”
