CNN anchor incredulous after GOP rep defends Trump's Jan. 6 vow

CNN’s Boris Sanchez faced off with Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) on Wednesday after the congressman defended and downplayed former President Trump’s promise to pardon all people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol Building.

Meuser called the riots an “ugly day,” and initially downplayed any idea that Trump would pardon violent criminals.

“I do think the president would address it for what it was, what the American people saw, and denounce it,” he said.

“Well, he’s talked about pardoning those folks you were talking about being violent and that hurt a lot of Capitol police officers and other people as well,” Sanchez responded.

“No, no, no. Not violent, not people who hurt police officers. Those who were, who got caught up in the riot, if you will —” Meuser said, with Sanchez quickly speaking over the congressman to interject.

“He’s called them political prisoners, sir!” Sanchez said.

After being questioned on the point twice, Meuser said that in private conversations with Trump, the former president differentiated between violent criminals who participated in the riots and non-violent “trespassers.” That, however, does not align with the former president’s repeated public comments.

“You’re saying that these folks deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Sanchez retorted. “The former president is talking about pardoning the same people that attacked you and your colleagues.”

Meuser then attempted to pivot the interview to a discussion of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, which he argued were under-prosecuted for political reasons.

At the mention of President Biden’s name, Sanchez interjected again.

“What does this have to do with Joe Biden?!” Sanchez asked.

The host then attempted to wrap up the interview, but jabbed Meuser when he again attempted to bring up the 2020 protests.

“And that in no way, shape or form answers the question about Donald Trump talking about pardoning the very people that you described as violent,” Sanchez said.

Trump’s promise to pardon and release Jan. 6 rioters with criminal charges, who he has dubbed “patriots” and “political prisoners,” has been widely denounced by both Democrats and Republicans. 

Nearly 1,500 people have been arrested in relation to the riots, according to the Justice Department, including over 500 for assaulting police officers.