Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), now a Fox News contributor, made a wildly inaccurate statement Thursday about the difference between conservative and progressive protests.
Fox News’ Sean Hannity ran a segment in which he claimed the “left” defended the violent riots of 2020, then brought in Chaffetz and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to comment.
“When I see conservatives, Republicans, showing up to protest, they bring an American flag,” Chaffetz said. “When these people show up at protests, they bring a gas mask because they’re actually going to hit some people, they’re going to hit their heads and throw things.”
“What about the poor cops who have to put up with this rubbish? At least support our law enforcement, they put their lives on the line, they shouldn’t have to deal with this garbage night after night.”
“Jason, so well said about law enforcement,” Bondi replied.
Chaffetz and Bondi ignored the brutal attack on law enforcement by right-wing protesters during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.
Chaffetz was right that some carried flags, but some used their poles to beat the police and break down doors and windows.
And while he argued that conservatives carry American flags, the Capitol riot featured banners representing extremists, including white nationalists, as well as flags showing loyalty to Trump and several Confederate battle flags, on the grounds and inside the building.
Hannity noted that he condemned both the 2020 protests and the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol.
But others at Fox News took a very different view, with Tucker Carlson using selected security footage to argue that the attackers that day were “peaceful” and “visitor-like”.
Twitter users were quick to fact-check Chaffetz:
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