House Republican Struggles Through Defense of Trump Pardons When Grilled by Jake Tapper

Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) defended President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon some of the “peaceful” attendees at the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots on Wednesday, though criticized the “sweeping” nature of the pardons which freed those who were violent.

Asked by CNN host Jake Tapper about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to set up a new Jan. 6 investigation subcommittee, Turner said:

I think January 6th is one of those days where I think almost all Americans’ hearts break in both the visions of people physically breaking into the Capitol, people actually assaulting police officers. The scope, I think, of Trump’s pardons were unexpected, as we certainly know that there are people who did unexpectedly end up in the Capitol, who were peaceful, who were prosecuted politically, and there certainly has been just, you know, that day has been used for political purposes.

We had, of course, Pelosi’s January 6th select committee that was very, very political. There are things to continue to investigate, but at the same time, I think we’re seeing really from both sides a great concern that doesn’t really represent what I think the American people see that day and their concerns.

Tapper asked, “The people who broke into the Capitol, vandalized it, attacked cops, attacked Capitol Hill police, they were pardoned. Do you have an issue with that?”

“I think that was very unexpected, and certainly, yes, I do,” replied Turner. “Many people do and I think the sweeping nature of it certainly was unexpected.”

He argued, however, that “the Department of Justice, you know, it viciously prosecuted individuals, some of which ended up in the Capitol not even knowing how they ended up there or that there had been any violence whatsoever. There were people who had– there was such an injustice in how they were prosecuted, who rightly deserve a pardon, and the fact that January 6th has been used so politically is– really continues the travesty.”

“I absolutely agree that there are individuals who deserved to be pardoned,” Turner declared.

Tapper replied, “I mean, I’m just– I don’t hear you condemning the fact that people who are beating up Capitol Hill police officers who literally would lay down their lives to protect you and your family, I don’t hear you expressing concern that they were pardoned.”

Turner shot back, “Jake, actually I did. You did hear me say that.”

Watch above via CNN.