While speaking at a rally in Houston, Texas on Thursday, the leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump referred to those imprisoned for their actions during the January 6th riot at the Capitol as “hostages.”
Trump’s comments were sparked by the playing of a song titled “Justice For All.”
That song is a collaboration between the former President and the “J6 Prison Choir,” in which Trump recites the Pledge of Allegiance while a “choir” consisting of individuals jailed for their actions during the 2021 riot sing the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
It concludes with a hearty chant of, “USA! USA!”
The song topped the iTunes charts back in March, knocking stars like Miley Cyrus, Morgan Wallen, and Selena Gomez down a few pegs.
As the song played at the Texas rally, Trump stood at attention, saluting the crowd.
“Justice For All” by President Trump and the J6 Hostages pic.twitter.com/jCESeoQMBw
— Beard Vet (@Beard_Vet) November 2, 2023
Trump: ‘I Call Them Hostages’
As the song concluded and the GOP leader took to the podium, he mentioned to the crowd who the choir was but offered a different take on the group’s name.
“Well, thank you very much, and you know what that was,” Trump told the audience. “I call them the ‘J-6 hostages,’ not prisoners. I call them the hostages, what’s happened.”
“And you know, it’s a shame,” he opined.
Trump opens Texas Rally with J6 Prison Choir. “I call them HOSTAGES. Not prisoners. HOSTAGES”. #trumprally #texas pic.twitter.com/6G0xhBwk3E
— George Balfour-Kinnear (@balfourUK) November 2, 2023
A press release in March from Kash Patel, a key political adviser to Trump, indicated all proceeds from the “J6 Prison Choir” song will go to the families of some of those imprisoned.
Trump, just before the start of the heart of his rally speech, bragged about the song between him and the so-called “hostages.”
“When that came out, it went to the number one song. It was beating everybody. It beat Taylor Swift. It beat Miley Cyrus,” he said.
This is shameful!! I appreciate President Trump tonight calling the Jan 6ers the January 6th Hostages! https://t.co/i78rckHe04
— J.D.Trumperson (@JonathanGi80735) November 3, 2023
Trump Has Repeatedly Vowed To Issue Pardons
Trump has voiced consistent sympathy for many of those who were punished severely for what he considers lesser actions during the January 6th riot at the Capitol.
The man currently leading the GOP primary polls vowed that – should he win re-election in 2024 – he would issue pardons to many of the individuals charged and convicted for their activities that day.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Melania Trump is ‘just sick’ over jailed Jan. 6 defendants https://t.co/woUI3RtXbO
— Raw Story (@RawStory) November 27, 2022
This past December, Trump recorded a video message aimed specifically at the J6 defendants.
“People have been treated unconstitutionally, in my opinion, and very, very unfairly, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it,” said Trump, speaking before the group known as Patriot Freedom Project.
“It’s the weaponization of the Department of Justice, and we can’t let this happen in this country,” he added.
President Trump delivers special message to January 6th defendants. pic.twitter.com/nNYNrxTupm
— I’m No Angel (@HappyCamper2626) December 2, 2022
Trump shares some trepidation with those imprisoned or still facing charges for their actions on January 6th, himself facing federal charges in Washington, D.C., over his attempts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election.
On a more optimistic note, however, Trump also told those in attendance he planned to win the Texas primary “in a landslide” and would defeat “crooked Joe Biden” in 2024.
“With the help of everyone here today, four months from now we’re going to the Texas primary, we’re going to win it in a landslide,” he said. “And we’re then going to go on and beat crooked Joe Biden.”
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