Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has warned supporters of former president Donald Trump against protesting his possible indictment, citing concerns that such events could turn violent. Trump has repeatedly called on his supporters to take to the streets, but Greene believes such events could be hijacked by bad-faith actors. She says Federal agents could infiltrate political movements and attempt to incite political violence, as happened during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Greene firmly believes Trump supporters have the right to peaceful protest, but urged them to avoid demonstrations in this case. While the congresswoman is on the shortlist of potential vice presidential candidates for Trump’s 2024 election bid, she hopes supporters show up in one place in large numbers, at Trump’s upcoming rally in Waco, Texas.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also called for Americans to refrain from protesting, but defended the former president, saying “I don’t think people should protest this, no…And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesn’t believe that either.” Trump has recently called for nationwide protests against his possible indictment, but since Greene has warned against it, similar sentiment among political rights has begun to gain traction. The theory is that the protests might be infiltrated with bad-faith actors.