Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday called Saturday\u2019s \u2018Justice for J6\u2019 rally a setup for Republican voters \u2014 regardless of the outcome. <\/p>\n
\u201cOn Saturday, that\u2019s a setup,\u201d Trump said in an interview with the Federalist.<\/a> \u201cIf people don\u2019t show up they\u2019ll say, \u2018Oh, it\u2019s a lack of spirit.\u2019 And if people do show up they\u2019ll be harassed.\u201d <\/p>\n The former president found multiple ways to weigh in on the upcoming rally on Thursday, sending out a statement echoing the messaging of the potential rally goers. The narrative surrounding Jan. 6 has been warped by some members of the Republican Party, especially groups planning to rally on Sept. 18 in support of those currently detained for participating in the insurrection. <\/p>\n The shift in messaging has aimed to cast those on trial as \u201cpolitical prisoners.\u201d There are more than 600 people charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. <\/p>\n Trump used his platform to fuel that narrative on Thursday, once again projecting his false claim \u2014 the very one that drove the insurrectionists to the Capitol on Jan. 6 \u2014 that the election was stolen from him. <\/p>\n \u201cOur hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest concerning the Rigged Presidential Election,\u201d Trump said in a statement on Thursday. \u201cIn addition to everything else, it has proven conclusively that we are a two-tiered system of justice. In the end, however, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!\u201d<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s rally has reignited concerns about another wave of violence on Capitol Hill as law enforcement prepares for the event. It\u2019s being planned by \u201cLook Ahead America,\u201d a nonprofit led by a former Trump campaign staffer who\u2019s said it will be a peaceful protest. <\/p>\n Law enforcement is preparing for potential unrest, and the latest intelligence report cites an increase in online chatter in support of the rally after the officer who fatally shot Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt unveiled his identity in an interview on NBC, according to CNN.<\/a> <\/p>\n The former president has issued statements laden with conspiracy theories about Babbitt’s death. He’s called the officer a murderer and has lionized Babbitt as a martyr. <\/p>\n Around 500 people have suggested they will attend Saturday\u2019s protest, according to an intelligence report reviewed by CNN. <\/p>\n