Looking back to 2021, conservatives need to remember where Ben Shapiro stood as America grappled with the fallout of the January 6 Capitol protest.
In a period when Ben Shapiro was considered a prominent figure in right-wing commentary, he surprisingly did not stand up for the civil liberties of pro-Trump supporters who were caught in the federal investigations. Instead, Shapiro advocated for the Biden administration to revoke their rights and ensure their imprisonment.
Shapiro expressed his views during an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, stating that approximately 1,000 protestors deserved to “end up rotting in prison.” He emphasized that while not all of the 40,000 people present attacked the Capitol, the actions of around 1,000 deserved severe punishment, reinforcing his stance that these individuals should face imprisonment.
In contrast, some Republican lawmakers took a stand against what they viewed as harsh treatment of those charged in connection with January 6. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, appearing on Newsmax, criticized the prosecutions as “outrageous,” comparing the situation of January 6 defendants unfavorably with that of illegal immigrants, and suggesting that they were being treated as political prisoners.
Meanwhile, on the House floor, Representative Matt Gaetz demanded transparency regarding “14,000 hours of video footage” that remained unreleased to the public. He speculated that government informants or federal agents might have been involved in the events, and criticized the lack of access to this information for Congress members, raising concerns about potential governmental involvement in the escalation of violence.
As discussions within the conservative movement continue regarding the implications of January 6, it is crucial to consider Ben Shapiro’s stance on due process during this period. His alignment with the establishment’s approach contrasts sharply with the efforts of certain lawmakers who championed civil rights and pushed back against what they viewed as overreach.
