'He has so many faces': Lindsey Graham faces backlash for defending Trump’s January 6 actions

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has shifted his stance on former President Donald Trump's involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, now supporting Trump's claim of immunity. The reversal comes as Graham was questioned by news host Margaret Brennan on CBS's 'Face the Nation'.

Graham, who had previously warned in 2021 that Trump's actions could be subject to the "law of the land," appeared to soften his stance. When asked by Brennan if he still believed Trump could be prosecuted and criminally liable, Graham hedged, stating, "It depends on what the conduct is."

"If you're doing your job as president — and on Jan. 6, he was still president — trying to find out if the election, you know, was on the up and up, I think his immunity claim — I don't know how it will bear out — but I think it's a legitimate claim," Graham added.

While admitting that Trump is 'not immune' from the law, Graham argued that the president's status at the time could protect him from prosecution for his actions on January 6. "Nobody is immune from the law. But you do have presidential immunity to do your job," he told Brennan, noting that Trump "didn't break into the Capitol."

Trump's role in the Capitol riot has been a point of contention, with Democrats alleging that he incited the violence. Trump had tweeted to his millions of supporters to descend on Washington DC, on January 6, promising that "It will be wild."

Divergent Interpretations

Democrats specifically point to a phrase where Trump said, "We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." His defense lawyers, however, argue that another passage, where Trump urged supporters to march "peacefully and patriotically," shows his words were not a call for violence.

"I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard," the former president said.

Furthermore, after the rioters infiltrated the Capitol building, Trump took to his personal X account to urge his supporters to "go home." "I know your pain," he said at the time. "I know you're hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side, but you have to go home now."

Meanwhile, he also urged his supporters to be peaceful and maintain "law and order," tweeting, "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"

However, in a released audio from 2022, Graham stated that Trump 'went too far' on January 6, but he now dismisses Trump's pre-riot remarks as merely a 'fiery speech'. Graham expressed doubt that the Jan. 6 case will go to trial before the upcoming election.

Social media backlash

Critics on social media slammed Graham for his perceived flip-flopping on his opinion of Trump.

"He has so many faces," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Seriously, what have they got on Lindsey Graham?" another wrote.

"Donald Trump got secrets on this guy I'm sure," someone else speculated.

"Could the change to gray hair and the wildly illogical mind be tricks to avoid jail himself?" another quipped.

Trump, facing 91 felony criminal charges in four different cases, is navigating several legal battles heading into 2024.

Graham, in the same interview, criticized Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows for barring Trump from the state's ballot, calling her a "radical person." Similar decisions in other states, citing the 14th Amendment, are being appealed, with Graham expressing confidence that the Supreme Court will overturn these rulings, The Messenger reported.