Staff Reports
The media and White House may be cheering, but many voters disagree with the long prison sentences given to the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, believing them to be “too harsh.” Despite what the Washington-based news coverage has portrayed, a majority of American voters view the protest as a “mostly peaceful protest that got out of control.” As a conservative, it’s no surprise that Biden’s treatment of these individuals is seen as an attempt to silence critics of his liberal agenda.
A recent Rasmussen Reports survey confirms this divide in public opinion. When asked about the protest, 49% considered it “mostly peaceful,” while only 45% called it an “illegal insurrection.” Similarly, 42% believe the sentences handed down have been “too harsh,” compared to 29% who feel they haven’t been harsh enough. It’s clear that the American people are split on this issue.
The survey also asked participants if they agreed with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s statement about the sentences being a message from Biden and his “thugs” — 55% agreed, while 36% did not. This sentiment was not limited to Republicans, as 29% of Democrats and 32% of unaffiliated voters shared the same view.
New poll confirms @RepMTG nailed it: Majority call ‘harsh’ Jan. 6 sentences a Biden warning to foes.@Rasmussen_Poll found more than not believe J6 was 'mostly peaceful' protest and that prison sentences have been 'too harsh.'https://t.co/Nl3UPrbtJ8 pic.twitter.com/dOfQY93nmJ
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) September 13, 2023
It’s notable that even lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed concern over the harsh sentences, particularly when it comes to the poor conditions faced by many of the Capitol protesters. Rasmussen’s analysis revealed that 59% of Republicans strongly agree with Greene’s assessment, along with a significant portion of Democrats and unaffiliated voters.
In the end, this survey demonstrates the ongoing division among Americans regarding the Capitol protests and the treatment of its defendants. The portrayal of the riots as an anti-democratic attack is not universally accepted, and opinions on the severity of the sentences vary greatly. It remains to be seen how these differing viewpoints will shape future discussions on this matter.
