Graham sidesteps question on whether Trump should attend Jan. 6 award gala

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sidestepped a question Sunday about whether former President Trump should attend a Jan. 6 award gala that will be hosted at his golf club in New Jersey next month.

The Stand in the Gap Foundation will be hosting the event, dubbed the “J6 Awards Gala,” on Sept. 5 at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J., according to an announcement posted online. While Trump is listed as an “invited guest speaker,” Graham did not say whether the former president should attend the event. 

“Do you think it would be a mistake for him to go? And is it a mistake for this event to be taking place at Bedminster at all?” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Graham on “State of the Union.”

“Well, my view of January 6 — I was actually there — that the people who broke into the Capitol and assaulted police officers are — should go to jail. They committed a crime. There are people very upset about the outcome of the 2020 election. I get that,” he said.

“But Vice President Harris tried to raise bail money for people who burned Minneapolis. I didn’t like that either. So, when it comes to the parties condoning violence, I would say we both should knock it off in that regard,” he said.

Tapper reported the Trump campaign said that the former president would not be attending the event. The New York Times, citing a person familiar with Trump’s plans, also reported that Trump would not be in attendance.

The Hill has reached out to Trump’s campaign about the event.

Graham emphasized that he has “no sympathy for those who broke into the Capitol, destroyed the place and hurt police officers.” When Tapper pressed him again on whether he believes Trump should attend the event, Graham again dodged the question.

“Well, I will let him — there are people being held, I think, that have had their due process rights violated. Quite frankly, they haven’t been brought to trial yet. I don’t like that very much,” he said. 

“But I will leave it up to him as to what causes to support. I am supporting him because my country, your country, our country is hurting. And he offers policy changes that we desperately need,” he added.

The event announcement said that any funds raised will “provide much-needed assistance to the January 6th defendants who continue to face significant challenges.” The tickets for the event start at $1,500 for general admission and go up to $50,000 for a table of 12.