Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who on January 6 criticized the idea of pardoning convicted rioters, has been dubbed a "Republican in name only" by former President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, Trump told Newsmax that the South Carolina lawmaker was a "good guy" but was wrong in opposing pardons for those who stormed the Capitol last year.
In remarks that appear to be part of a new pitch for his voting base, the former president pitched the idea of a pardon during a "Save America" rally in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday.
Trump was asked by Newsmax's Rob Schmidt on Tuesday about Graham's reaction to the idea.
"You mentioned the possibility of pardoning some of January 6th, if it's appropriate," Schmidt explained. "A few days later, Lindsey Graham said she believed it was unfair. "How are you?"
"Well, Lindsey Graham is totally wrong," Trump replied. Lindsay is a nice guy, but he's a Republican in Name Only (RINO). "Lindsay is completely wrong."
"Republican in name only," as the former president calls his critics in the party, is a term he often uses.
"Some of these people are not guilty," Trump continued in his Newsmax interview. Most of these people are innocent. He has done terrible things to these people, many of whom are patriots. "They are soldiers and police officers," says the narrator.
According to the former president, who witnessed the Capitol riot, he did not receive "equal justice."
"So, I'll be ready—and Lindsey Graham has no idea what he's talking about if he says so," Trump said. "You should have equal justice," she says. What has happened to this group of people is completely unjust."
"If I run and win, we'll treat those guys fairly from January 6th," Trump said during a rally in Texas. And, if apologies are needed, we will provide them because they have been treated unfairly."
On Sunday, during an appearance on CBS's Face the Nation, Graham was asked about those comments.
"I don't want to send a message that is acceptable to define capital," Graham said. "If these people are forgiven, other groups with similar reasons may feel compelled to resort to violence."
"I agree that it's indecent. I don't want to give the impression that profaning the Capitol is acceptable. I'm not going to do anything that makes it more likely in the future," the senator said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has also spoken out against the idea, telling The Hill on Tuesday, "My view is: I would shorten any sentence for anyone convicted of crimes." Wouldn't be in favor of doing it."
The United States claims that more than 650 people have been indicted as a result of the January 6 riots, according to the District Attorney's Office. Politico reported that about 150 people admitted to having entered the capitol.
Trump's comments have prompted Newsweek to contact Lindsey Graham's office for comment.