It’s clear that both Biden and Trump are using the Jan. 6 riot as a political tool to rally their respective bases. While Biden is painting Trump and his supporters as threats to democracy, Trump is playing down the severity of the event and portraying the rioters as patriots. This is not surprising, given how deeply divided the country is along partisan lines.
Federal prosecutors charging Trump in connection with the riot shows that there are legal consequences for his actions leading up to the insurrection. However, it’s important to note that many Republicans are not holding Trump entirely responsible for the events of Jan. 6. Some see it as a “protest” that “devolved,” while others believe too much emphasis is being placed on the attack.
This situation highlights the deep divide between Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats viewing a second Trump term as detrimental to the nation, while a majority of Republicans still support him. As we approach the potential 2020 rematch, it will be interesting to see how each side continues to frame the events of Jan. 6 to their advantage.