Robert F. Kennedy Jr
Youtube
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed concerns about the politicization of the January 6th prosecutions in a statement.
Violent rioters
CNBC
While acknowledging violent rioters deserved punishment, he argued many non-violent protestors faced excessive charges.
January 6
CNBC
“January 6 is one of the most polarizing topics on the political landscape. I am listening to people of diverse viewpoints on it in order to make sense of the event and what followed. I want to hear every side,” Kennedy stated.
Inflame divisions
CNBC
Kennedy said both parties were using January 6th to inflame divisions for political gain.
Protestors
Youtube
“It is quite clear that many of the January 6 protestors broke the law in what may have started as a protest but turned into a riot. Because it happened with the encouragement of President Trump, and in the context of his delusion that the election was stolen from him, many people see it not as a riot but as an insurrection,” he said.
Evidence
Youtube
“I have not examined the evidence in detail, but reasonable people, including Trump opponents, tell me there is little evidence of a true insurrection. They observe that the protestors carried no weapons, had no plans or ability to seize the reins of government, and that Trump himself had urged them to protest ‘peacefully,'” he said.
Prosecutorial discretion
Youtube
He pledged to appoint a special counsel to investigate potential abuse of prosecutorial discretion for political ends.
Demonizing opponents
PBS
Kennedy contended the issues like national debt and foreign policy received less attention as both parties focused on demonizing opponents.
Concerned
PBS
“Like many reasonable Americans, I am concerned about the possibility that political objectives motivated the vigor of the prosecution of the J6 defendants, their long sentences, and their harsh treatment. That would fit a disturbing pattern of the weaponization of government agencies — the DoJ, the IRS, the SEC, the FBI, etc. — against political opponents,” Kennedy said.
Oppose Trump
Youtube
“One can, as I do, oppose Donald Trump and all he stands for, and still be disturbed by the weaponization of government against him.”
As President
Youtube
“As President, I will appoint a special counsel — an individual respected by all sides — to investigate whether prosecutorial discretion was abused for political ends in this case, and I will right any wrongs that we discover. Without the impartial rule of law, there is no true democracy or moral governance. That’s why John Adams, a staunch patriot, defended the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre in court. If we betray justice in pursuit of an ideal, that betrayal will corrupt anything we accomplish,” he said.
Fuel the fire
Youtube
“Both establishment parties are using J6 to pour fuel on the fire of America’s divisions. Each side claims that a victory by their opponents means the end of democracy. Then, anything is justified to stop them. We run the risk of destroying democracy in order to save it.”
Priorities
Youtube
“Instead of demonizing our opponents as apocalyptic threats to democracy, let’s focus on the issues and priorities of how they will govern, and defeat them at the ballot box rather than through legal maneuvers and dirty tricks. Presidents Trump and Biden both presided over the continued worsening of our national debt, chronic disease epidemic, government corruption, erosion of civil liberties, and foreign military entanglements. Maybe it is because the establishment parties differ very little on these key issues that they campaign on the demonization of their opponents and all who support them instead,” Kennedy added.
Support
Youtube
Some polls showed Kennedy with double-digit support against Biden and Trump in potential 2024 matchups.
