Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) stirred controversy during a Sunday interview on Meet the Press, as she discussed the possibility of former President Donald Trump pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 riot if re-elected in 2024.
Initially expressing conditional openness to the idea of pardons, Ernst stated, “I am not opposed to that. That is a president’s prerogative. And so if former President Donald Trump is elected as our next president, he does have the right to do that.”
However, when pressed further by host Kristen Welker, Ernst adjusted her response, saying, “Well, again, I am not saying that I would support pardoning them, but that is a president’s prerogative to do so.”
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The interview took a surprising turn when Welker confronted Ernst about her prior characterization of the events as an insurrection. Ernst, seemingly forgetting her earlier statements, adamantly denied ever using the term “insurrectionists” and claimed, “I don’t remember using that term.”
Welker corrected Ernst by referencing a 2021 column she authored for the Des Moines Register in which Ernst unequivocally referred to the events as an insurrection. In the column, Ernst wrote, “But storming the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to influence elected officials — an insurrection as many have called it — is not, and will never be, a peaceful protest. It is anarchy — and America and her people cannot stand for it in any form.”
This stark contradiction in Ernst’s statements raises questions about her recollection of events and the consistency of her positions. The incident not only underscores the polarized and sensitive nature of discussions surrounding the January 6 attacks but also highlights the potential political consequences of memory lapses for public figures.
Ernst’s shifting stance on potential pardons and her apparent memory lapse regarding her use of the term “insurrectionists” may invite scrutiny and speculation from both political opponents and constituents. The interview adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about accountability for the January 6 events, shaping public perception and fueling discussions about the role of elected officials in addressing the aftermath of the Capitol attack.
