Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate running for president, expressed his belief that the prosecutions of the rioters who violently attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, may be politically motivated. This viewpoint aligns with that of former President Donald Trump and his supporters.
The following day, Kennedy faced criticism for a fundraising email in which he portrayed the rioters as “activists” who had their constitutional liberties taken away.
Kennedy’s campaign responded by acknowledging that the statement “was an error that does not reflect Mr. Kennedy’s views.”
The campaign admitted that a new marketing contractor had inserted it and that it had not gone through the normal approval process. They later announced that they had terminated the contract with the vendor responsible for the campaign.
In his subsequent statement, Kennedy maintained a similar stance, refraining from rejecting the notion that the rioters are facing unfair prosecution. Instead, he expressed his concern regarding the potential influence of political motives on the intensity of the prosecution of the J6 defendants.
He made the argument that even reasonable individuals, who are not supporters of Trump, have expressed their belief that there is insufficient evidence to support the claim of a genuine insurrection. These individuals point out that the protestors did not possess any weapons, nor did they have any intention or capability to take control of the government. Furthermore, they note that Trump himself had encouraged the protestors to engage in peaceful demonstrations.
According to CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane, who has been closely following the legal proceedings of the January 6th incident, it is important to note that the protesters came armed with a wide range of weapons. This included guns, knives, axes, batons, bats, sticks, flagpoles, pepper spray, bear spray, and even a tomahawk. These weapons were used by the protesters to violently attack the police officers who were working to safeguard the Capitol.
In his statement, Kennedy criticizes Trump by asserting that the attack on the Capitol occurred due to Trump’s encouragement and his false belief that the election was stolen from him. However, Kennedy also expresses his intention as president to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether Trump’s allies were unfairly targeted for prosecution. He emphasizes his commitment to rectifying any injustices that may be uncovered during the investigation.
Trump frequently labels individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6 attack as “hostages” and assures them of potential pardons should he regain the presidency.
Kennedy later admitted his mistake regarding the protesters not carrying weapons, acknowledging that his initial claim was incorrect. In a statement released on Friday evening, he clarified, “I was mistaken in my understanding that none of the January 6 rioters who invaded the Capitol were armed. It has come to light that several individuals have been convicted of carrying firearms into the Capitol building. Additionally, others have been found guilty of assaulting Capitol police using pepper spray, bludgeons, and other makeshift weapons.”
“This behavior is inexcusable,” he emphasized. “I have always acknowledged the gravity of the riot and every crime committed on that day.”
The violence that occurred on January 6th was widespread. A mob of Trump supporters forcefully breached police barriers, engaging in physical altercations with officers. They proceeded to break windows and forcefully enter the Capitol building, causing lawmakers to flee and seek shelter.
On the day of the attack, a makeshift gallows was captured in a photo outside the Capitol, while some individuals were heard chanting “Hang Mike Pence.” The rioters moved through the halls, shouting out, “Where are you, Nancy?”, in reference to Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who was the House speaker at that time.
Over 1,300 individuals have faced charges in connection with the attack on the Capitol, with approximately 500 of them being accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. Among those charged, around 1,000 have either pleaded guilty or been convicted by a judge or jury for crimes such as seditious conspiracy, assault, and civil disorder. Interestingly, only two defendants have been acquitted of all charges following a trial, with both cases being decided by judges without a jury.
According to court records reviewed by the Associated Press, over 800 rioters have been sentenced, with at least 229 of them receiving a minimum of one year in prison. The Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, two far-right extremist groups, received the longest sentences for seditious conspiracy. These trials revealed extensive planning and plotting to use force in order to prevent the transfer of presidential power from Trump to Biden.
Judges in Washington’s federal court consistently emphasize that the individuals involved in the riots are being held accountable for their actions, rather than their political beliefs. Regardless of their political affiliations, judges appointed by presidents from both parties are actively working to dispel any misconceptions about the attack and condemn the rioters for portraying themselves as victims of political persecution.
According to Justice Department rules, special counsels are appointed by the attorney general, not the president. It is important to note that special counsels are typically appointed to investigate crimes, rather than to reexamine prosecutorial decisions made by Justice Department leaders.
Kennedy depicts Trump as a victim of a politically motivated government, aligning with the former president’s portrayal of the charges as corrupt. Republicans in Congress also argue that federal agencies are “weaponized” against conservatives.
According to Kennedy, it is possible to oppose Donald Trump and everything he represents, while still being deeply troubled by the use of government power against him.
Kennedy, a lawyer and activist, has gained recognition for his advocacy in environmental issues and his skepticism towards the widely accepted scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy. He has amassed a devoted following among individuals who harbor a deep distrust towards various pillars of American society, including the government, media, political parties, and corporations.
Democrats and their left-leaning allies are actively opposing Kennedy, who comes from a prominent Democratic family and is part of the well-known political dynasty in the United States. They are concerned that his candidacy may divide the anti-Trump coalition and potentially benefit Trump in the upcoming November election.
Matt Corridoni, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, emphasized that there is no ambiguity when it comes to the violent rioters who attacked police officers and attempted to overthrow our democracy. He pointed out that RFK Jr. has consistently played a disruptive role in favor of Donald Trump. This includes receiving support from Trump’s biggest donor and downplaying the gravity of the events that transpired on January 6th.
