Deflect, minimize, deny: Unraveling the GOP Capitol riot spin
The Washington Post
Adriana Usero 21 mins ago
Time, specifically the passage of it, is a powerful tool when it comes to reframing history. With the ouster of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from the third-ranking leadership position in the House Republican caucus, the House GOP has completed a remarkable transformation from initial outrage over the Capitol Hill attack to a whitewashing of what happened that day.
Since the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Republican leaders have attempted to reckon with their relationship with former president Donald Trump. Below are a few examples of the verbal gymnastics Republicans have engaged in since a deadly riot breached the Capitol.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact moment when the sentiment began to shift, but in many cases it seems to have happened when Democrats signaled that they would impeach Trump and place him on trial, even though his presidency was nearly ended. Defending Trump from impeachment made it easier for Republicans to begin defending him in other ways, even though House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) initially suggested that a censor resolution might be a more appropriate course. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” he said.
Time, specifically the passage of it, is a powerful tool when it comes to reframing history. With the ouster of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from the third-ranking leadership position in the House Republican caucus, the House GOP has completed a remarkable transformation from initial outrage over the Capitol Hill attack to a whitewashing of what happened that day.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact moment when the sentiment began to shift, but in many cases it seems to have happened when Democrats signaled that they would impeach Trump and place him on trial, even though his presidency was nearly ended. Defending Trump from impeachment made it easier for Republicans to begin defending him in other ways, even though House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) initially suggested that a censor resolution might be a more appropriate course. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” he said.
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