Top Republican lawmakers have criticized former President Donald Trump for his decision to highlight the January 6th attack on the Capitol during his first 2024 campaign rally. Some lawmakers

have expressed concern that the former president is using the rioters to fire up his base and paint the events of that day as a “peaceful” protest.

Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn stated that those who violated the law during the January 6th attack should be prosecuted, and they have been. He went on to say that people do not want to hear a retrospective look when it comes to running for president or any other office. Instead, people want to know what a candidate’s vision for the future is. Cornyn believes that Trump’s focus on the events of January 6th is not a formula for success.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Trump, also expressed disapproval of the move. He said that there would be no effort on his part to whitewash the events of January 6th and that Trump should focus on the problems people are facing today. Graham believes that there is no way to convince the American people that January 6th was anything less than a horrible day in America.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who previously condemned the violence on January 6th, questioned Trump's decision to focus on the event. Thune said that it was living in the past and that more people want to hear about what candidates are going to do to make the future better and brighter for them.

While some Republican lawmakers spoke out against Trump's move to highlight the January 6th rioters, others were more reserved in their response. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville stated that he did not see the rally but that when you get into a campaign, you use all things at your disposal. Tuberville believes that Trump is trying to get people fired up and that everybody looks for an edge, with the bottom line being about winning.

Trump faces three civil lawsuits that accuse him of inciting the January 6th attack on the Capitol. The former president has argued that he deserves immunity from all the lawsuits, saying he urged participants to "peacefully and patriotically" protest the 2020 presidential election.

During the rally, Trump kicked off the event with a song called “Justice for All,” performed by a choir featuring individuals imprisoned for their roles in the January 6th Capitol riot. Footage from the insurrection, as well as actors portraying rioters in jail cells, played as the choir sang the national anthem, overlapped with a recording of Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The move by Trump to depict the events of January 6th as a “peaceful” protest continues the narrative peddled by some Trump supporters. However, this view is not shared by many, including some prominent Republicans who have condemned the violence and the actions of those who participated in the attack on the Capitol.

In conclusion, Trump's decision to highlight the events of January 6th during his first 2024 campaign rally has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers. While some are more reserved in their response, others have expressed concern that Trump is using the events of that day to fire up his base. As Trump faces three civil lawsuits that accuse him of inciting the attack on the Capitol, the former president maintains that he deserves immunity from all the lawsuits. Photo by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia commons.