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Despite Weak J6 Turnout, Trump’s Allies Are Still Spreading Dangerous Jan 6th Myths

BY September 18, 2021

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Crowds gather outside the U.S. Capitol for the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.(Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

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.

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.

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.”

Read Dean Obeidallah’s full opinion piece here.



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