SHOT/CHASER: Lara Trump Tries to Cover for Donald Trump’s Role in January 6 Insurrection

SHOT: RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump falsely claimed there was “no evidence … Donald Trump had anything to do with” January 6 …

Lara Trump: “There is no evidence whatsoever to have any indication that Donald Trump had anything to do with what happened [on January 6].”

CHASER: … even as Trump rallied his supporters to storm the Capitol and attack law enforcement officers, which he called a “beautiful day” …

New York Times: “President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election came to a dangerous head on Wednesday when a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol following a rally in which Mr. Trump once again falsely claimed widespread voter fraud.”

Trump: “January 6, it was the largest crowd I’ve ever spoken to. And they were there proud, they were there with love in their heart. That was an unbelievable — and it was a beautiful day.”

… and continues to praise and embrace violent January 6 rioters, calling them “hostages” and “patriots” …

The Hill: “Trump describes imprisoned Jan. 6 rioters as ‘hostages’”

Newsweek: “Donald Trump Praises Jan. 6 Rioters: ‘Great Patriots’”

NBC News: “Trump spoke at a fundraiser for Jan. 6 defendants”

… and is vowing to pardon violent January 6 insurrectionists.

Rachel Scott, ABC News: “140 police officers were assaulted [on January 6]. Their injuries included broken bones, at least one officer lost an eye, one had two cracked ribs, two smashed spinal discs, another had a stroke. Were the people who assaulted those 140 officers, including those I just mentioned, ‘patriots’ who deserve pardons?”

[Trump refuses to answer]

Scott: “But sir, my question is on those rioters who assaulted officers. Would you pardon those people?”

Donald Trump: “Oh absolutely I would. If they’re innocent, I would pardon them.”

Scott: “They’ve been convicted.”

Time: “Trump has sought to recast the insurrectionist riot as an act of patriotism. ‘I call them the J-6 patriots,’ Trump tells TIME. When asked whether he would consider pardoning every one of them, he says: ‘Yes, absolutely.’”

REMINDER: Lara Trump is a self-described “ultra-MAGA” extremist who continues to push baseless lies about the 2020 election.

Allan Smith, NBC News: “Lara Trump, embracing ‘ultra-MAGA’ label, says it’s ‘nothing to be ashamed of’”

CNN: “RNC under Lara Trump spreads ‘massive fraud’ claims about 2020 election”

Media Matters: “On her podcast, RNC co-chair Lara Trump says she doesn’t believe 81 million people voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election” 

Lara Trump: “Because here’s the goal, folks. I don’t ever – and I know you don’t either – want to repeat 2020 and the atrocities of that election ever again.”

Lara Trump: “The bulk of the staff you will see in our building is focused solely on election integrity. Because let’s be honest, we can never repeat 2020 ever again. We’re never going to do that.”

Lara Trump ahead of January 6: “We want to make sure that if there is a contested vote, anybody who doesn’t want to certify the votes for Joe Biden, that they get their chance to debate that.”