MSNBC’s Morning Joe featured a heated discussion on Tuesday as hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough reacted to President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot and commute 14 prison sentences.
The controversial move, one of Trump’s first actions after being sworn in on Monday, drew criticism from Democrats and media figures alike.
Ali Vitali, host of Way Too Early, opened the segment by expressing frustration with Trump’s ability to issue the pardons.
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“With the stroke of a pen, he exonerated Jan. 6 rioters,” Vitali said, adding that “Washington and beyond” would have to come to terms with the new reality.
Scarborough then noted the narrow margins in the recent election, pointing out that Trump won by “1.5 percent” and that the Republican majorities in both the House and Senate are slim.
Donny Deutsch, a frequent MSNBC guest, interjected with his take on Trump’s strategy.
“He [Trump] has co-opted America’s heartbeat,” Deutsch claimed, implying that Trump’s actions resonate deeply with his base despite their divisiveness.
Brzezinski attempted to push back, saying, “If America’s heartbeat is to have hostage families standing behind him, that marketing visual is quite something.”
Deutsch responded, “I’m not saying you might not like that,” before continuing to talk over Brzezinski’s protests. “Listen to me, listen to me, listen to me,” he added, dismissing her interruptions.
Brzezinski, refusing to back down, sharply replied, “I’m talking about J6,” referring to January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol riot.
Deutsch argued that Trump’s ability to connect with his supporters overrides other controversies.
“People will absorb it because he gives them what they want in other places,” he said.
“This is just … I want the Dems to learn that you can even get away with things as ridiculous as that if you’re feeding people what they want to hear and what they need.”
Scarborough echoed Deutsch’s sentiment, stating that Trump had been transparent about his intentions.
“He told them [Americans] what he was going to do,” Scarborough said, referencing Trump’s campaign promises. Brzezinski agreed, replying, “He did.”
Scarborough went on to compare Trump’s actions to tactics used in ancient Rome.
“He’s providing the bread and the circuses, as they said in Roman days,” Scarborough said, describing Trump’s strategy to entertain and energize his base while, in his view, disregarding political norms. “But underneath that, are things that he’s doing breaking one norm after another.”
Deutsch attempted to clarify his position, saying, “Nobody’s saying ignore it, I’m saying the opposite, actually.”
However, Scarborough doubled down on his assertion, reminding viewers that Trump had openly promised to “break every norm.”
The segment highlighted growing frustration among media figures over Trump’s approach to governance and his ability to galvanize his supporters despite ongoing controversies.
The pardons of January 6 offenders remain a divisive issue, drawing sharp criticism from opponents while reinforcing Trump’s connection with his base.
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