Article Summary –
Senators Tom Cotton and Tim Scott, both potential vice-presidential contenders, have criticized the prosecution of Jan. 6 defendants and characterized left-wing protesters as “street militias”. While acknowledging that violent rioters should face severe consequences, they argued that prosecutors are casting too wide a net and unfairly charging nonviolent attendees of the Capitol riots. The senators also deflected questions regarding a bump-stock ban, focusing instead on accusations of Democratic failure to combat crime and increased violent crime due to illegal immigration, despite data not supporting these claims.
Republican Senators Label Protesters as “Street Militias”
Senator Tom Cotton, a potential GOP vice-presidential candidate, on Sunday termed left-wing demonstrators as “street militias”. He suggested these protesters have escaped due prosecution while “every grandma and MAGA hat” near the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were unfairly charged.
Senators Cotton and Scott Speak Out
While appearing on CNN, Senator Cotton’s comments echoed those of Senator Tim Scott on ABC News. Scott, a fellow vice-presidential hopeful, also criticized Democrats for being soft on crime and differentiated between violent Jan. 6 rioters and those who “came into the Capitol because the doors were open.”
Senators Criticize Prosecution Methods
Senators Cotton and Scott both argued that some Jan. 6 defendants were in pretrial detention longer than their likely sentences if convicted. Cotton maintained that Democrats wouldn’t prosecute violent protesters from “Democratic street militias” and called for equitable standards of prosecution for all, including Black Lives Matter protesters and pro-Palestinian demonstrators on college campuses.
Shifting Focus to Gun Control and Immigration
When asked about their stance on legislation banning bump stocks after the Supreme Court’s ruling, both senators shifted focus to crime and immigration. They accused the Biden administration and Democrats of failing to tackle crime and claimed that illegal immigration contributes to increased violent crime, a claim unsupported by data.
Deflecting on Bump-Stock Legislation
Instead of discussing the bump-stock ban, Cotton and Scott referred to a separate case involving a migrant and a mother of five. They alleged that tackling illegal immigration and border control were the priorities of the American people, not infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
VP Candidate Burgum Shares Similar Views
Third vice-presidential contender, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, voiced similar concerns about President Biden’s border policies on Fox News. He suggested that the potential for a 9/11-type terror attack has increased due to these policies.
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