“It’s Something the Media Spun Up” – DeSantis Defends Jan 6th Insurrection as “Protest”

Jo ShawOct 26, 2023

Minute Read

In a recent podcast interview with British comedian Russell Brand, DeSantis contended that the January 6 Capitol riot events did not constitute an insurrection. “These were people that were there to attend a rally, and then they were there to protest,” stated DeSantis.

No Plan to Overthrow Government

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“Now, it devolved into a riot, but the idea that this was a plan to somehow overthrow the government of the United States is not true,” stated DeSantis in the interview.

DeSantis Says Media Spun up Story for “Political Aims.”

“And it’s something that the media had spun up to try to basically get as much mileage out of it and use it for partisan and political aims,” he continued.

Protest “Devolved” in “Unfortunate Ways”

“There were a lot of protestors there, and it ended up devolving in ways that were unfortunate, of course, but to say that they were seditionists is just wrong,” DeSantis continued his argument.

More Than 1000 People Charged

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Over two years following rioters’ storming of the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors have filed charges against over 1,000 individuals in connection to the January 6 attack.

FBI Cases Doubled, and Resources Diverted

In an FBI Presidential Budget request made in 2022, the FBI noted their cases had doubled, and they were diverting resources due to investigating the riots on the Capitol. “Most notably, the siege on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was determined to be a DT incident and has resulted in a two-fold increase in DT cases across the FBI.”

FBI Requested Almost $2 Million in Funding for the Investigations

The FBI also requested nearly $2 million in funding to cover the investigations. “As a result of the attack on the U.S. Capitol the FBI is also requesting $1,885,000 to address the increase in data collection volume and complexity necessitates for data storage, analysis, and sharing.”

DeSantis Had Nothing to Do With January 6 Riot

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DeSantis has previously tried to brush off questions over the Capitol riots, saying to reporters, “I wasn’t anywhere near Washington that day. I have nothing to do with what happened that day. Obviously, I didn’t enjoy seeing what happened, but we’ve got to go forward on this stuff.”

“I Hope He Doesn’t Get Charged.”

“I do not wanna see him… I hope he doesn’t get charged. I don’t think it’ll be good for the country.” DeSantis told a CNN reporter in a separate interview.

Rioting and Disorder Is Wrong

On January 6, an estimated 2,000 pro-Trump demonstrators breached the Capitol, seeking to overthrow the 2020 election results. After the Capitol riots, DeSantis said, “It doesn’t matter what banner you’re flying under, the violence is wrong, the rioting and disorder is wrong,”

How to Beat the “Wild Card”

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Russel Brand, also facing a criminal investigation, called DeSantis a “potent political voice and figure.” He asked DeSantis during his Podcast interview how he would beat “wild card” Donald Trump. DeSantis brushed off the question, stating, “We need to beat Biden. I will beat Biden.”

DeSantis Not Shooting Himself in the Foot

DeSantis then seemed to take an underhand dig at his rival, Trump. “I over-deliver on promises because I am a former military officer. I’m disciplined, and I don’t give the other side a lot of rope to hang me with. I’m not shooting myself in the foot. I’m focusing on the task at hand,” he said.

Trump Would Be a One-Term Lame Duck

“…Trump would be a one-term lame duck.” DeSantis further lashed out at his GOP rival. “I could serve two terms. So, I’m in my 40s, “I would be incredibly energetic.” DeSantis seemed to continue his dig at Trump by referencing age. “I would be very active,” he added.

Slay the Administrative State

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DeSantis further boasted his energy would create a “flurry of activity.” “We would be able to…uh…slay the administrative state, we’d secure the border…it would really be a flurry of activity.”

DeSantis Is a “Bigger Threat” in Presidential Race

“I get attacked by the corporate press more than anyone running for office, more than Joe Biden, and now more than Donald Trump, because I think the corporate press views me as a bigger threat,” DeSantis declared. “They [corporate press] understand that I will beat Biden, and they know I will actually deliver on all these things,” he added.

Would DeSantis End the War in Ukraine?

Brand then said two of the most powerful voices next to DeSantis “have to be Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson,” both with strong “anti-war” rhetoric. Brand asked, “Where do you stand on the conflict, and are you willing to match this anti-war rhetoric?” Ukraine is “barreling towards a multi-year stalemate,” said DeSantis, who continued by saying he would work towards achieving “a sustainable peace” in Europe, stating there were “more pressing issues at home.”

Chinese Communist Party “A Threat,” Alleges DeSantis

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The “Chinese Communist party is a threat,” alleged DeSantis in the Podcast. He also stated the US had “dwindled our own stocks,” sending weapons to Ukraine. “If we were potentially in a major conflict, we would not be able… uh… likely to respond.

“Ronnie Pudding Fingers” Is “Reading the Room”

A user took to social media post in response to DeSantis’s claims that the Capitol Riot was not an insurrection, saying only 13% of the population believed there was one. “… But worst of all, if you look at the numbers from a year ago, an already depressingly low 33% thought it was an insurrection. That number now? Wait for it. 13%. You can slice it up a dozen different ways against a dozen separate polls, but it’s pretty clear that Ronnie Pudding Fingers is reading the room. It’s just a really disgusting room.”

Rioters Could Face Charges Including Seditious Conspiracy and Insurrection

Another posted, “The Trump-appointed US attorney for DC says otherwise. Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney for the District of Columbia, said that rioters could face charges including seditious conspiracy and insurrection.”