Comment by oenton
3 days ago
> The one where he specifically told people to protest peacefully?
I know the rules say to assume good faith but I don't see how anyone can do that given what you wrote. I'm really struggling to understand how that is your main takeaway from all the events that transpired that day.
But rather than rehash that maybe it's better to focus on current events. What are your thoughts on Trump, the first day assuming office in his second term, issuing a blanket pardon for all of the crimes his supporters committed that day in his name? Why would Trump who just wanted people to "protest peacefully," pardon those convicted of... beating officers with a flag pole, stomping on officers' heads, and crushing an officer in a metal door frame using a riot shield?
I do agree with you on one thing though:
> it's like they're living in another world
It truly saddens me to see so many people living in completely different realities. But I honestly don't think it's me or the person you're replying to that decided to relocate.
From all the evens that transpired that day? Trump directly told that crowd to peacefully protest. I don't know what more he could have done (on the day of). It was supposed to be a protest. It turned into a riot. The media didn't call it an 'insurrection' that first day, by the way. Or the second day. It wasn't until the third day that I heard NPR use it sometimes, other times they used the word riot. Was it a good thing? Hell no, it was despicable. Was it Trump's fault? Tangentially, sure, but he absolutely didn't call for them to do what they did. Could he have handled it better once it did? Sure. But keep in mind his administration suggested that the national guard be deployed to keep the peace and was turned down. How do you take that fact and the fact that he explicitly told them to peacefully protest and make it about him, not the protesters themselves that got out of hand?
I'm not a fan of Trump, and I certainly don't think that blanket pardon was appropriate. Neither was Biden's pardon of those close to him for any crime they could have possibly committed.
For what it's worth a lot of those people did get pretty ridiculous sentences for what was effectively a riot. Some probably deserved it, many did not. Compare their sentences to those that happened during 2020 riots and you'll see a massive imbalance.