“Legitimate political expression” | Republicans divided over Capitol assault

(Washington) A few months before the midterm legislative elections, the Republican tenors of the American Congress appeared more divided than ever on how to evoke the assault on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.

The Republican Party’s decision to label the events of January 6, 2021, as “legitimate political expression” — and to politically sanction two elected officials from its camp who are investigating the former president’s role in the attack on Congress — has caused a stir. malaise within its ranks.

“The question is whether or not the Republican Party should point fingers at members of our party who may have views that differ from those of the majority,” said Mitch McConnell. “It is not the role of the Republican Party”, he denounced. Other Republican senators followed suit.

Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are the only two Republicans to sit on the parliamentary committee that seeks to shed light on the actions of Donald Trump during the events on Capitol Hill.

Meeting last week, the Republican Party, still very loyal to Trump, decided to sanction them politically, accusing the two elected officials of “destructive” behavior for “the Republican Party and our republic”.

One of the Republican leaders in the House of Representatives defended the decision on Tuesday. “The Republican Party has every right to take action,” said Elise Stefanik.

The elected official, however, indicated that the Republicans of the House had not yet decided on additional sanctions against the two elected officials.

Asked whether this subject, which is likely to be at the heart of the midterm legislative elections, could affect the Republican chances of regaining control of Congress in November, she temporized: “We will see how voters react. quite quickly this year. »