Reactions to Trump Jan. 6 Investigation
We ran the numbers:
There are 2,533 news articles covering this topic.
41% (1,029) are left-leaning, 38% (970) are centrist, and 21% (534) are right-leaning.
On Wednesday, McCarthy defended Trump saying “What criminal activity did he do? He told people to be peaceful.” Former President Donald Trump criticized the Justice Department. Developments in the investigation point towards charges against those involved in trying to overturn the election. Left-leaning articles highlight the efforts to hold those involved in the attack accountable, while right-leaning articles highlight Trump’s statements on the DOJ being used as a weapon by Democrats for election interference.
The Hill published a centrist article reporting on how House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is defending Trump against his charges around the Capitol attack. McCarthy stated that Trump did no criminal activity and only encouraged peaceful protests, contrasting his initial statements after the attack, where he stated Trump bears responsibility for his supporters actions. McCarthy stated that he spoke to Trump after he was served his target letter, and that the call was not a strategy session to unite Republicans. McCarthy instead accused the Biden administration of conducting strategy sessions to target Biden’s opponents.
A left-leaning article by The Washington Post highlighted that the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots is rapidly moving towards charges. Efforts to charge the individuals attempting to help overturn the previous election and hold them accountable have been noted as a test of the nation's criminal justice system and political institutions. The development towards charges has caused voters to respond in partisan ways, with Trump supporters claiming his opponents are using any tool to sink Trump’s campaign, and Trump detractors cheering at the potential wave of prosecutions. However, this sentiment reflects “how widespread the lack of faith in elections is.”
A right-leaning article by Fox News highlighted Trump’s criticism of the Justice Department being used as a weapon as “election interference.” After being sent a letter calling for Trump to appear in front of a grand jury, Trump has slammed Special Counsel Jack Smith and his investigation. Trump has already pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges related to his retention of classified records, with Trump claiming that Democrats are using the DOJ as a weapon. He stated that the DOJ is attempting to sabotage his campaign, accusing Biden of corruption for taking money from China, and that he would get rid of the corruption just as he did when he was in office.
From the center
McCarthy defends Trump: ‘I don’t see how he could be found criminally responsible’
The Hill