Trump and his supporters make unfounded connections between Gaza protests and January 6 riot

Former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks comparing nationwide college campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza to the January 6 Capitol riot during his criminal trial on Tuesday. Trump suggested that the protesters could face similar consequences to those involved in the Capitol attack.

In a rambling interview with Fox News, Trump condemned the protesters’ actions at Columbia University and accused “Jewish politicians” of abandoning Israel. He also criticized Congress for not protecting Israel as it did in the past.

The protests on college campuses have been escalating, with students demanding divestment from ties to Israel in response to the high number of Palestinian casualties in Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump and his GOP allies have used the protests to launch political attacks against President Joe Biden, painting a picture of chaos in the country as they gear up for the 2024 elections.

The comparison between the campus protests and the Capitol riot has sparked controversy, with some social media users and media outlets labeling the protests as an “insurrection.” Republican officials have seized on the opportunity to criticize Biden while downplaying the violence of January 6.

Trump himself is facing charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his failure to stop the Capitol attack. Despite this, he has pledged to issue mass pardons to January 6 defendants if he is elected in November, calling them “patriots” and “hostages.” The former president’s remarks have reignited debates about the events of January 6 and the ongoing tensions in the country.