How the GOP’s rewriting of Jan. 6 paved the way for Trump’s comeback

The Republican Party’s rewriting of the events of January 6th has paved the way for Donald Trump’s comeback. After the Capitol riots, many establishment members of the GOP were quick to condemn the violence while also condemning President Trump. However, the Republican Party as a whole was hesitant to officially blame the former president for inspiring the mobs. This decision to not fully hold the former president accountable has allowed Trump to gain steam in the Republican Party, as evidenced by the fact that many elected officials are now embracing his rhetoric and pro-Trump policies. At the same time, some Republican Party members have worked to rewrite the narrative around the insurrection, playing down the violence and suggesting that it was simply an example of the broader movement to protest the election results. This narrative has been embraced by Trump and his supporters to justify his role in the situation, claiming that the protests were widely peaceful and unlawful, and that the real culprits were leftist agitators. By softening the language surrounding the insurrection, the GOP has opened the door for Trump to make a political comeback. By rewriting the events of January 6th, the Republican Party has provided the framework for Donald Trump’s comeback and allowed him to continue to shape the narrative of the insurrection. Although many in the Republican Party still condemn the former president’s role in the riots, the party’s decision not to fully disavow him has made it possible for him to remain a major player in the party’s future. As the Republican Party continues to move closer to Trump’s message and platform, his comeback is all but assured.