As part of his latest presidential campaign, Donald Trump has been unsubtle in his praise of Jan. 6 rioters, including vowing to pardon those who attacked the U.S. Capitol in his name. On “Meet the Press,” NBC News’ Peter Alexander asked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem whether the former president’s campaign promise sends the right message. The Republican governor repeatedly dodged the question, saying, “I think each of those situations needs to be looked at separately” over and over again.
6 attack, which was reasonable, though it was a sentiment at odds with Trump’s perspective. In fact, the former president hasn’t just defended the violence perpetrated in his name as justifiable, it was just a few weeks ago when the presumptive GOP nominee also described Jan. 6 criminals as “victims.” But I was also intrigued by the idea that the best way to prevent the next Jan. 6 attack is to elect the politician who instigated the Jan. 6 attack. Why? Because Kristi Noem says so.