At the 2021 Gridiron Dinner, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, Glenn Youngkin, Larry Hogan and Chris Sununu addressed the events of January 6th. Pence referred to the day as a “disgrace” and held President Donald Trump accountable for it. Haley declared that while Trump would be harshly judged by history, he had become so isolated that he would no longer be in the picture. DeSantis condemned the attack on the Capitol but did not advocate holding Trump accountable. Similarly, Hutchinson remarked that Trump had “disqualified himself” from seeking another term in the White House, but did not rule out backing him if he were the nominee. Youngkin denounced the Capitol riot as a “blight on our democracy”, but did not comment on Trump’s role in it or accountability. Hogan also noted that the January 6th attack was “one of the darkest days in American history”, and indicated that Trump should have resigned or been removed, yet has not ruled out supporting him as nominee. Sununu stated that Trump’s rhetoric and actions contributed to the insurrection, but did not explicitly mention if he would support the former president if he became Republican nominee. In conclusion, while all speakers condemned the events of January 6th, none of them held Trump accountable or ruled out backing him if he became the Republican nominee.
POLITICS
JANUARY 6TH
CHRIS SUNUNU