RNC officials say 'legitimate political discourse' referred to fake Trump elector, not Jan. 6 rioters


A relatively small group of Republican officials have strongly criticized last week's Republican National Committee resolution censuring Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), arguing it's bad politics for the national party to criticize Republicans and a distracting blunder to suggest the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was "legitimate political discourse." But the majority of Republicans agree with the censure resolution, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters Tuesday.
"I'm just telling you, in my state, it's not helpful to have a bunch of D.C. Republicans commenting on what the RNC — and frankly, probably most Missouri Republicans — support," Hawley said. "Super unhelpful, and super great way to get themselves inserted into that race, which I don't want." Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who, like Hawley, objected to the certification of President Biden's victory after the Capitol riot was quelled, said Cheney and Kinzinger's participation on the Jan. 6 committee is "not helpful."
RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel defended the censure in a Townhall op-ed Tuesday, arguing that "the awful events of that day do not justify Cheney or Kinzinger enabling a partisan committee whose real purpose seems to be helping Democrats' electoral prospects at the cost of potentially ruining innocent people's lives."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Several members of the committee assert that when the censure mentioned 'ordinary citizens' and 'legitimate political discourse,' it was referring to people like Kathy Berden, a Republican committee member from Michigan who put herself on a fake slate of electors" for former President Donald Trump, The New York Times reports. McDaniel had cited Berden, a friend of hers, in weekend cleanup calls as an example of why the RNC had not equated Jan. 6 rioters with legitimate political protesters, The Washington Post reports.
RNC members portray Berden "as an innocent victim of an overzealous investigation, noting that she is elderly and a widow," the Times reports. The House Jan. 6 committee subpoenaed her last month "as part of an effort to find out who orchestrated the drive to put forward false electors in several states Mr. Biden won, a potential crime."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats