“Trump’s Comeback: How the GOP Paved the Way with Jan. 6 Rewrite

Since the insurrection of January 6th at the Capitol, the Republican party has drastically rewritten the story of what occurred that day. They have adjusted the narrative to exclude mention of President Donald Trump’s involvement and in doing so, they have set the stage for his potential return to political power. After the Capitol was stormed, Republicans sought to distance themselves from former President Donald Trump and the role he played in fueling the violence. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s rebuke of Trump that day was a powerful example of the party’s shifting attitude towards their former leader. But nearly two months later, the party has shifted away from this narrative and is looking to put responsibility entirely on the protesters. The Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee recently released a summary report of their investigation that focused on the specific events that led to the riot. The report lays blame entirely on the protesters, claiming that they “acted on the orders of President Trump and were motivated by his rhetoric.” This is a fundamentally different narrative than the one proposed by Senate Majority Leader McConnell who stated that President Trump “compelled” his supporters to violence. This shift in the narrative has allowed Republican leaders to once again embrace the former president. While some, like former Vice President Mike Pence, remain steadfastly opposed to Trump, the party’s base is back on board with the ex-president and his incendiary rhetoric. In fact, many Republicans who previously denounced Trump have now softened their stance and given him an olive branch, with some even suggesting that they could work with him again one day. By shifting the blame of the insurrection from President Trump to the protesters, the Republican party has opened the door for the former president to once again have a meaningful role in the party. While there are no certainties as to what will become of Trump’s political future, the GOP’s rewriting of history certainly gives him an easier lane back to influence.