Donald Trump, who has publicly praised the violent insurrectionists of January 6, 2021 as “patriots”, and vowed to pardon them if re-elected, is now targeting Vice President Kamala Harris over her views on policing. Trump’s rhetoric and actions, including his support for the Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted police officers, contrast sharply with his criticism of Harris’s stance on the “defund the police” movement.
Trump has consistently defended the violent attackers of January 6, even celebrating them at his rallies. His campaign events feature recordings of the rioters, and he has promised to pardon those convicted of attacking law enforcement that day.
“It’s quite ironic,” noted a Republican National Committee member who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighting that Trump has publicly advocated for “defunding” federal law enforcement. “He’s effectively calling for the dismantling of the FBI.”
In contrast, Kamala Harris, as a former prosecutor and California Attorney General, has never supported the blanket “defund the police” agenda. Instead, she has advocated for reallocating some police funding towards social services to address crime in communities. Her position is more nuanced, emphasizing a balance between policing and social support.
Despite these differences, Trump and his allies are trying to paint Harris as anti-police. They argue that her support for reimagining police budgets is equivalent to defunding, though her approach was intended to address budget priorities rather than dismantling police departments.
Harris’s campaign spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, highlighted the irony of Trump’s position: “Trump oversaw the largest single-year spike in the murder rate in more than a century, proposed defunding law enforcement in every single one of his budgets and wants to pardon the criminals who violently assaulted police officers on Jan. 6.” Moussa warned that a Trump presidency would lead to more violence and dangerous policies.
Trump’s support for Jan. 6 rioters has become a notable feature of his campaign, including events where he shows solidarity with the insurrectionists through symbolic gestures. Despite multiple legal challenges, including convictions and ongoing trials, Trump remains a prominent figure in the GOP, with his legal troubles seemingly having little impact on his political standing.
Republican consultant David Kochel remarked on Trump’s resilience, noting that traditional political rules don’t seem to apply to him.
“He’s still leading in spite all of that. Normal rules don’t apply to Donald Trump,” said Kochel.
Meanwhile, some anti-Trump Republicans doubt the effectiveness of his attacks on Harris regarding law enforcement issues, suggesting that Harris’s record as a prosecutor could counterbalance the criticism.
Former GOP chair Jennifer Horn criticized her party’s approach to attacking Harris, suggesting that it reflects a broader issue with how the GOP handles strong, accomplished women in politics.
