Donald Trump slammed Senator Lindsey Graham, calling him a ‘RINO’ and insisting he is “wrong” for opposing pardons for some of those arrested for the January 6 riot at the Capitol.
The former President made the comments in an interview with Newsmax Tuesday.
At a raucous rally in Conroe, Texas Saturday evening, Trump first broached the topic of issuing pardons for some of those involved in the Capitol riot he feels have been treated “unfairly.”
Trump suggested he might do so if he runs and wins in 2024.
“If I run, and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6 fairly. We will treat them fairly,” he vowed. “If that requires pardons, we will give them pardons, because they are being treated so unfairly.”
Graham disagrees.
BREAKING: President Trump promises to PARDON Jan. 6 prisoners if he runs and wins in 2024 pic.twitter.com/teYbYNBcuB
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) January 30, 2022
RELATED: Trump Hints That He Would Pardon January 6 Rioters If He Wins In 2024
Trump Calls Graham A ‘RINO’
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Graham (R-SC) was quick to condemn Trump’s suggestion of issuing pardons, calling his comments “inappropriate.”
“No, I don’t want to send any signal that it was OK to defile the Capitol,” Graham fired back. “I think it’s inappropriate … I don’t want to do anything that would make this more likely in the future.”
“I think it is inappropriate” — Lindsey Graham on Trump promising pardons to those convicted of crimes connected to the January 6 attack on Congress (Graham then tries to bothsides it by bringing up Kamala Harris) pic.twitter.com/Hr6Sgz8RPp
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2022
Trump swiftly fired back in his latest interview, calling Graham a RINO.
“Well, Lindsey Graham’s wrong. I mean, Lindsey’s a nice guy, but he’s a RINO. Lindsey’s wrong,” Trump said.
RINO, of course, is an acronym for ‘Republican In Name Only,’ used frequently amongst conservatives for those GOP leaders who lack the intestinal fortitude to actually stand up for their professed values.
“Lindsey Graham doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about if he says that,” an infuriated Trump added.
President Trump Responding To @LindseyGrahamSC Calling Pardoning Jan 6 Political Prisoners “Inappropriate”
“Well, Lindsey Graham is wrong. I mean Lindsey is a nice guy, but he’s a RINO.”
“Lindsey Graham doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.”pic.twitter.com/XPD27l3Y5Z
— The Columbia Bugle 🏁 (@ColumbiaBugle) February 2, 2022
RELATED: Report: Lindsey Graham Told Police To Use Guns Against Capitol Rioters
Graham Urged Officers to Shoot Capitol Rioters
Graham, according to reports back in November, urged police officers to use their guns during the January 6th riot at the Capitol, shouting at them to “take back the Senate!”
“You’ve got guns. Use them,” he told police personnel.
19/ (Almost passed this over, but a stunning anecdote about Lindsey Graham) pic.twitter.com/1dxrGfW9rQ
— Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) November 1, 2021
“We give you guns for a reason,” Graham reportedly said at the time. “Use them.”
The South Carolina Senator isn’t the only entrenched GOP lawmaker to object to Trump’s comments on pardons.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also opposes the idea.
“My view is, I would not be in favor of shortening any of the sentences for any of the people who pleaded guilty to crimes,” said McConnell.
REPORTER: How concerned are you about the former president offering pardons to people who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6…?
MCCONNELL: …I would not be in favor of shortening any of the sentences for any of the people who pleaded guilty to crimes. pic.twitter.com/QBhajP50LV
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) February 1, 2022
There is no indication that Trump’s suggestion addresses individuals who have already pled guilty to crimes.
He may very well be discussing those who have been swept up in FBI overpursuit, dragging people into the investigation who may have simply been in the area or walking through the Capitol.