Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy once again on Friday by endorsing Rebecca Lavrenz, a Colorado woman convicted of federal misdemeanor charges stemming from the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
In a bold move, Trump labeled Lavrenz as a “patriot” and urged his nearly 7 million followers on Truth Social to back her legal defense fund, as per a report by The Washington Post on Friday, April 5, 2024.
Lavrenz, who faced charges including disorderly conduct, found an unexpected ally in Trump, who dubbed her “one of Joe Biden’s J6 HOSTAGES!!” in his social media post.
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Trump’s backing comes amid his growing trend of supporting individuals charged and convicted in connection to the violent Capitol attack.
According to court filings, Lavrenz confessed to being present at the Capitol on January 6 and witnessing individuals breach physical barriers to enter the premises.
She asserted she merely followed the crowd inside, interacted briefly with a Capitol police officer, and then left the scene. Facing potential imprisonment of up to a year and hefty fines exceeding $200,000, Lavrenz has turned to seeking financial aid for her legal battle.
At 71 years old, Lavrenz has gained attention on social media, earning the moniker “J6 Praying Grandma.” She insists she traveled to Washington to pray for the nation on the day of the “Stop the Steal” rally, a claim echoed by Trump in his recent post.
Trump’s advocacy for Lavrenz is part of his broader stance on individuals involved in the Capitol insurrection. In January 2022, Trump hinted at the possibility of pardoning January 6 rioters, signaling leniency towards their actions.
By September of the same year, he amplified his support, pledging “full pardons with an apology to many” of those implicated in the attack.
This steadfast support for the Capitol offenders has also resonated among Trump’s Republican allies in Congress. Figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik, considered a potential running mate for Trump, have referred to the offenders as “January 6 hostages” in public appearances.
Similarly, Sen. Tim Scott has remained noncommittal on whether he would have certified the 2020 election results, a stance Trump vehemently opposed and encouraged his supporters to contest.
Trump’s position on the Capitol attack and his vocal backing for individuals like Lavrenz underscore a growing ideological split within the Republican Party. While some perceive his actions as a defense of personal freedoms and political dissent, others condemn them as tacit approval of violence and insurrection.
As Trump solidifies his role as the Republican presidential nominee, his unwavering support for those charged and convicted in connection to the Capitol attack is likely to remain a contentious issue, further dividing an already fractured political landscape.
With the 2024 presidential election drawing near, Trump’s handling of the aftermath of January 6 continues to shape the narrative surrounding his political legacy.
