Graham Dodges Question on Trump’s Attendance at Jan. 6 Award Gala

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) chose not to address whether former President Trump should attend an upcoming gala recognizing those involved in the January 6 Capitol incident. The event, organized by the Stand in the Gap Foundation, is set to take place on September 5 at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump is listed as an “invited guest speaker” for the “J6 Awards Gala,” yet Graham refrained from making a definitive statement about the former president’s potential attendance. During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper questioned Graham directly about the implications of Trump’s presence at the gala.

“Do you think it would be a mistake for him to go? And is it a mistake for this event to be taking place at Bedminster at all?” Tapper asked. In response, Graham spoke about his views on the January 6 events, emphasizing that those who breached the Capitol and assaulted law enforcement should be held accountable.

“I was actually there. The people who broke into the Capitol and assaulted police officers should go to jail. They committed a crime,” Graham stated. He acknowledged the frustration many feel regarding the outcome of the 2020 election but firmly condemned violence in political contexts.

“But Vice President Harris tried to raise bail money for people who burned Minneapolis. I didn’t like that either,” he added. The senator argued that both parties need to refrain from condoning violence.

During the segment, Tapper highlighted reports from the Trump campaign indicating that the former president would not be attending the gala. Further confirmation came from a source close to Trump’s plans, as reported by The New York Times, reinforcing that he would not participate in the event.

When pressed again about Trump’s attendance, Graham reiterated his stance without directly answering the question. “I have no sympathy for those who broke into the Capitol, destroyed the place, and hurt police officers,” he reiterated. However, when asked about his thoughts on Trump’s attendance at the gala, Graham sidestepped the inquiry once more.

He expressed concerns regarding the treatment of individuals arrested in connection with the January 6 events, noting, “There are people being held who I think have had their due process rights violated. Quite frankly, they haven’t been brought to trial yet. I don’t like that very much.”

Despite his criticisms of those who participated in the Capitol riot, Graham voiced his ongoing support for Trump, linking it to the broader challenges facing the nation. “I am supporting him because my country, your country, our country is hurting. And he offers policy changes that we desperately need,” he said.

The gala’s announcement indicated that the funds raised during the event would provide support for the January 6 defendants, many of whom continue to navigate legal difficulties. The pricing for attendance is steep, with tickets starting at $1,500 for general admission, and tables for 12 reaching as high as $50,000.