Trump demands release of supporters jailed for Jan. 6 Capitol riot: ‘I call them hostages’

Former President Trump marked the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol by demanding the release of all his supporters who have been convicted or detained for crimes relating to the incident.

Trump made the comments during a campaign stop in Clinton, Iowa, on Saturday, calling his jailed supporters “hostages.” More than 1,200 people have been charged with participating in the riot, of whom over 900 have pleaded guilty or been convicted.

“They’ve suffered enough,” Trump told the Iowa crowd. “I call them hostages. Some people call them prisoners.”

He went on to add, “I got indicted because I challenged the crooked election.”

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Trump is campaigning in Iowa just days ahead of the state’s Jan. 15 primary. Trump has maintained a commanding lead over his closest rivals, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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Trump will continue his campaigning blitz this week with a pair of Iowa faith events on Monday. Trump will be joined by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former Diamond State Gov. Mike Huckabee at events in the afternoon and evening.

Trump’s Saturday comments came as political pundits across the spectrum marked the third anniversary of the Capitol riot. MSBNC host Jonathan Capehart raised eyebrows on his Saturday show when he was reduced to tears while interviewing a police officer who served at the Capitol that day.

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The FBI continues to investigate and prosecute suspects placed inside the Capitol by security and social media footage.