‘Criminals singing the national anthem’: Jake Tapper slams Donald Trump’s rallies with J6 Prison Choir on ‘The Bulwark’ podcast

DAYTON, OHIO: CNN anchor Jake Tapper criticized Donald Trump's continuous backing of the January 6 rioters, as per a report.

Tapper's disapproval surfaced during his appearance on 'The Bulwark' podcast with host Tim Miller. The discussion revolved around Trump's conduct and their approach to addressing the contentious remarks made by the former president.

Tim Miller talks about Trump's rhetoric and January 6 narrative

"This is a genuine question ... I don't know how to deal with it," Miller began.

He continued, "Because Donald Trump goes out and does a speech, and his speeches are just wheels off nonsense. And he does election fraud stuff every time, which is not true. He does January 6th apologia now every speech. He lies about Joe Biden".

"Not just apologia!" Tapper interjected, continuing, "He starts his rallies with January 6th criminals singing the national anthem! And he calls them hostages — at a time when there are actual American hostages in Gaza! Yeah. No, you're downplaying it."

During a recent rally in Dayton, Ohio, attendees were asked by an announcer to stand in solidarity for the "Jan 6 hostages" who were purportedly treated unjustly.

As the crowd rose, Trump saluted while the speakers played a rendition of the national anthem performed by the J6 Prison Choir, a group comprised of individuals incarcerated for their involvement in the Capitol attack.

Speaking at the event, Trump expressed admiration for the perceived resilience of the detainees, referring to them as "hostages" and asserting they had been subjected to severe and unjust treatment.

He praised their perceived patriotism, labeling them as "unbelievable patriots". 

Jake Tapper's approach to covering Trump

Tapper further elaborated, stating that he is "not afraid of being called biased," but he does believe that "the way that we cover Trump is something that takes thought and care".

"I think when he says something that is shocking, and new, it is worth discussion," Tapper explained.

"Like I did yesterday with his comment that any American Jew who votes for Democrats — and Jews vote for the Democratic Party about 70% of the time, roughly — hates their religion, hates Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves, which is empirically a false statement," Tapper added. 

"I know plenty of progressive Jews or Jewish Democrats who love Israel and love their religion. I'm even related to a few of them. And two, shocking, is the nicest thing I can say."

He continued, "So we covered that ... but I can’t ... I'm not going to hand over my show to Donald Trump."

In a recent interview on 'Face the Nation' with CBS' Margaret Brennan, Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence also criticized Trump's portrayal of incarcerated January 6 rioters as "hostages".

"I think it’s very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza. That the president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages. it's just unacceptable!" Pence remarked.

"The assaults on police officers, ultimately an environment that claimed lives, is something that I think was tragic. And I'll never diminish it," Pence added.