Official statements from the Trump administration and legal proceedings reported by major news outlets

Lindsey Graham Opposes Trump's Call to Jail Jan. 6 Committee Members; Sanders Condemns Comments as Authoritarian

Dec 15, 2024, 05:19 PM

Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly disagreed with President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that members of the House January 6th Committee should face imprisonment. Speaking on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Graham stated, "No," when asked if he supported Trump's remarks. Graham, a Republican and Trump ally, also criticized the FBI, stating, "None of us trust these people anymore," and emphasized the need for reform within the agency. He expressed support for Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, citing the need for someone to "clean it up" and restore public trust in the bureau. Graham also noted that the qualities needed in an FBI director today differ from those during Christopher Wray's 2017 appointment, referencing changes in the bureau's perception among conservatives. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly condemned Trump's comments, describing them as "outrageous" and likening them to authoritarianism. Sanders has urged President Joe Biden to consider preemptive pardons for the committee members, which included representatives from both parties. Sanders stated, "This is what authoritarianism is all about. It's what dictatorship is all about." Trump's remarks have drawn criticism from other committee members, who have defended their work as lawful and necessary.