Topline
Former President Donald Trump did not rule out pardoning the four Proud Boys members convicted of seditious conspiracy for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot during a live town hall with CNN on Wednesday—where he refused to acknowledge wrongdoing in connection with the deadly insurrection and said “a large portion” of the convicted rioters would be pardoned.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, … [+]
Key Facts
When asked by a member of the audience if he would pardon members of the far-right Proud Boys group found guilty of seditious conspiracy last week, Trump said, “I don’t know. I would have to look at their case, but I will say, in Washington, D.C., you can not get a fair trial.”
If Trump is reelected in 2024, he vowed to “pardon many” of the 600-some people who have been convicted by the Justice Department in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, which led to the deaths of at least five people, adding “many of them are just great people.”
Trump also reiterated evidence-free claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refused to accept blame for the events, despite repeatedly telling his supporters in the weeks leading up to January 6 to “fight” Congress’ certification of the 2020 presidential election.
The former president defended the thousands who showed up to support him on January 6, telling CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins “they were there with love in their heart. That was an unbelievable and that was a beautiful day.”
News Peg
Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and members Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl were found guilty Thursday of seditious conspiracy, among other federal charges—one of the most serious and significant convictions in connection with the riots. Several members of the far-right Oath Keepers were also convicted of seditious conspiracy earlier this year.
Key Background
The town hall marks Trump’s first CNN appearance since 2016, and comes a day after a jury found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump participated in the live event from Saint Anselm College as he seeks to make inroads with voters outside of the conservative media platforms he typically frequents, the New York Times reported, noting the move is also designed to draw contrast with his top competitor in the GOP presidential primary race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who typically avoids mainstream media. Trump won New Hampshire in the 2016 primary, and the state will be the first to vote in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Trump has a rocky history with CNN and specifically Collins, who he frequently sparred with during his time in office. Trump on Tuesday predicted the town hall “could be the beginning of a New & Vibrant CNN, with no more Fake News, or it could turn into a disaster for all, including me,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Tangent
Trump headed into Wednesday’s town hall with a firm lead in polls that show him trouncing DeSantis—who has not yet announced a 2024 run—by double-digit margins, despite Trump’s April indictment in Manhattan Criminal Court and multiple other law enforcement probes into his conduct. Trump has successfully spun the investigations as political witch hunts to rally his GOP base and Republican lawmakers. But the Republican reaction to the Carroll verdict on Tuesday stood in contrast to the broad support he garnered from the party in the wake of the Manhattan District Attorney’s indictment against him. Multiple GOP lawmakers expressed concern about the verdict that Trump sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s and lied about it. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), a frequent Trump critic who is also considering running for the GOP 2024 nomination, predicted the jury’s determination would be the “silver bullet that ends Donald Trump’s candidacy.” Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) also cast doubts on his electability.
Further Reading
Trump Leads DeSantis By 46 Points In Widest Margin Yet (Forbes)
Trump Calls E. Jean Carroll Verdict A ‘Disgrace’ After Jury Finds He Sexually Abused Her (Forbes)
Chris Christie Calls E. Jean Carroll Verdict ‘Silver Bullet’ Against Trump’s 2024 Run—Joining These Other GOP Lawmakers (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/05/10/trump-open-to-pardoning-proud-boys-for-seditious-conspiracy-and-calls-jan-6-beautiful-day-in-cnn-town-hall/