Disagree. Pardoning the J6 rioters now “proves” that he “has their back.” That way, if/when he needs another group of rioters to be at his beck and call, they’ll gladly oblige. Especially if he pre-pardons them.
Yeah, he doesn’t like them, but he recognizes their value and loyalty. He’ll take steps to encourage that loyalty. It’s always useful for an authoritarian leader to have an unofficial paramilitary force they can call on to do… things.
Trump had two weeks to pre-pardon them in 2021 and didn’t. 71 million people just voted for Trump this time around. If 0.01% of them are crazy rioters, that’s 7100 people at his disposable. He doesn’t need an additional few hundred who already went to jail and had their life turned upside down, and may not still be loyal.
Oh I’m not saying he gives half a shit about them. But pardoning them is a gesture that ensures that the 7100 people at his disposal knows that he has their back, while costing Trump exactly nothing. Trump won’t do it out of any care for the J6ers, but because he’ll still benefit from it.
Disagree. Pardoning the J6 rioters now “proves” that he “has their back.” That way, if/when he needs another group of rioters to be at his beck and call, they’ll gladly oblige. Especially if he pre-pardons them.
Yeah, he doesn’t like them, but he recognizes their value and loyalty. He’ll take steps to encourage that loyalty. It’s always useful for an authoritarian leader to have an unofficial paramilitary force they can call on to do… things.
They’d do it again regardless.
Trump had two weeks to pre-pardon them in 2021 and didn’t. 71 million people just voted for Trump this time around. If 0.01% of them are crazy rioters, that’s 7100 people at his disposable. He doesn’t need an additional few hundred who already went to jail and had their life turned upside down, and may not still be loyal.
Oh I’m not saying he gives half a shit about them. But pardoning them is a gesture that ensures that the 7100 people at his disposal knows that he has their back, while costing Trump exactly nothing. Trump won’t do it out of any care for the J6ers, but because he’ll still benefit from it.