Denver, Colorado – Former president Donald Trump expressed his support for Rebecca Lavrenz, a woman convicted of misdemeanor charges in connection to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Lavrenz, found guilty of disorderly and disruptive conduct and three other charges, caught the attention of Trump, who referred to her as a “patriot” and set up a way for people to donate towards her legal fees on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump, who gained the Republican presidential nomination recently, has been focusing on assisting individuals charged and convicted in the violent events of January 6, which led to injuries of law enforcement officers and necessitated lawmakers, including then Vice President Mike Pence, to seek refuge for their safety. Lavrenz herself faces up to a year in prison and could be ordered to pay fines surpassing $200,000.
At 71 years old, Lavrenz has earned the social media moniker of the “J6 Praying Grandma” for her claim to have traveled across the country to pray for the nation in Washington on the day of the “Stop the Steal” rally. Trump has taken up her cause, denouncing what he perceives as unfair treatment by the Justice Department towards her and directing supporters to raise funds for her legal defense.
Trump has been increasingly vocal in his support for individuals arrested and convicted in connection to the Capitol attack. Earlier this year, he hinted at the possibility of pardoning those involved in the January 6 riot, later promising full pardons with apologies to many of them.
His actions have garnered sympathy from Republican allies in Congress, with figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik expressing understanding towards those involved in the events of January 6. Possible running mate, Sen. Tim Scott from South Carolina, has refrained from affirming whether he would have certified the 2020 election results, a move that Trump openly contested at the time.