Whoopi Goldberg, a co-host on “The View,” recently expressed strong disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding the January 6 Capitol rioters. Trump had referred to the individuals involved in the Capitol attack as ‘hostages,’ a characterization Goldberg firmly disagreed with during the show’s broadcast.
Goldberg emphasized that those involved in the Capitol riots were not hostages but prisoners, countering Trump’s narrative. She pointed out that their actions constituted a breach of law, leading to their imprisonment, and stressed that this legal consequence is a fundamental aspect of the American justice system.
The discussion on “The View” came in the wake of the anniversary of the Capitol riots, an event that has continued to evoke strong reactions across the political spectrum. Both Trump and current President Joe Biden commented on the anniversary, offering contrasting perspectives. Biden referred to the event as a near loss of American democracy, highlighting its severity.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House Director of Strategic Communications under Trump and now a co-host on “The View,” shared her perspective. She expressed disappointment in Trump’s stance and voiced her commitment to preventing his potential re-election, citing concerns for the future of American democracy.
The Capitol riots, which occurred as Congress was preparing to certify the 2020 election results, resulted in the death of Officer Brian Sicknick, who suffered a stroke following his confrontation with the rioters. Sandra Garza, Sicknick’s partner, has since filed a lawsuit against Trump and two rioters, Julian Khater and George Tanios, over Sicknick’s death. While parts of this lawsuit have been dismissed, allegations of a conspiracy to violate civil rights are moving forward.
The events of January 6 followed months of Trump and his allies claiming the election was rigged. Timothy Heaphy, a former U.S. attorney, reflected on the gravity of the situation, suggesting that democracy itself was at risk that day.
In recent developments, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s ongoing investigation has revealed new details about the riots, including claims that Trump showed no interest in stopping his supporters from rioting. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, commenting on these revelations, noted that much of the damning testimony against Trump is coming from Republicans.
As the legal and political ramifications of the January 6 riots continue to unfold, Trump faces numerous federal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Some states are even considering measures to prevent him from appearing on their 2024 ballots due to his involvement in the insurrection.