Despite Weak J6 Turnout, Trump’s Allies Are Still Spreading Dangerous Jan 6th Myths
While most people were enjoying the fact that the much-hyped “Justice for J6 Rally” turned out to not have much of a turnout, the message behind the rally remains the same, says MSNBC Opinion Columnist Dean Obeidallah.
In a piece published in the hours before the rally, Obeidallah lays out how the rally came together thanks to former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard. Obeidallah relates how Braynard raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations by claiming he had proof of 2020 election fraud, predicated upon the false claim that those still being held in custody are political prisoners.
On Thursday, Trump released a statement that read in part, “Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest,” insisting that the prosecutions are political in nature, the latest attempt for MAGA to rewrite the history of January 6th. Obeidallah names a few standouts currently being detained for their involvement in the January 6th insurrection. Aside from the infamous “QAnon Shaman” Jacob Shanley, who recently pleaded guilty for his part in the riots, Obeidallah names a few others: Dominic Pezzola, a known member of the violent far-right group the Proud Boys, who the DOJ alleges stole a riot shield from a Capitol Police officer and then used it to smash open a Capitol building window, allowing others to enter the building. Kenneth Harrelson, a member of the paramilitary group The Oath Keepers, is accused of being part of a group that hunted Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the attack and who provided weapons for the riots.
From his jailhouse phone, Jan 6 defendant tells me supporters are "too damn broke" to come to DC in great numbers Saturday for the Sept 18 "Justice for J6" protest … on behalf of jailed defendants
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) September 17, 2021
The poorly attended rally might just be an indicator of Trump supporters being cautious to not get themselves arrested, or it could signal a larger crack in the MAGA base. However, Trump knows how to keep the faithful churned up and loyal by always being one step ahead of them, the next grift solidly in place while the current one is still going. No one moves the goalposts like a Trump supporter. There are those who will stay with him no matter what, Obeidallah opines, and those are the most dangerous of all.
As we saw today, the Justice for J6 protest lacks a good poster boy. They say they only support non-violent protestors who are locked up pretrial… good luck finding people many people in that category. pic.twitter.com/T3OzwdyMkm
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) September 18, 2021
But, Obeidallah writes, the fact remains that these people, in their desire to “Fight for Trump,” waged a violent attack on our Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election. “This is what a budding fascist movement looks like. It should send a shiver down the spine of all who believe in our democratic republic.”
Not only is Trump openly defending his Jan 6 terrorists who attacked our Capitol, a CBS poll finds 55% of Trump supporters now view Jan 6 as "Defending Freedom." Please understand that this is EXACTLY what a FASCIST movement looks like. My new MSNBC https://t.co/g7hdAcj7p4
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) September 18, 2021
Read Dean Obeidallah’s full opinion piece here.