Rally expected in Washington today in support of jailed January 6 rioters
A far-right rally is planned today outside the US Capitol in support of those jailed for their involvement in the January 6 riot.
The Justice for J6 rally is organized by Look Ahead America, a political organization headed by former Trump campaign staffer Matt Braynard. Some 700 supporters are expected to show up, according to the Department of Homeland Security, sparking new security concerns.
This is the first major right-wing protest outside the Capitol since the January 6 riots. The riots have become a flashpoint for conservatives, who believe their compatriots have been unjustly targeted for harsh punishment. While some Republican members of Congress previously voiced support for jailed rioters, none have endorsed today’s rally for fear of political backlash.
Increased security measures, including a fence and National Guard troop reinforcements, will most likely prevent a repeat of January’s violence against the Capitol. In the short term, while the chance for violence is low, the event will most likely reignite the debate around the storming of the Capitol. Conversely, today’s rally will likely hurt conservatives in the medium-term, as such radical optics are bad for the Republican party’s appeal to moderate voters and further divides mainstream Democrats and Republicans.
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