Welker: "Trump pardoned everyone who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, including 172 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers. How is that consistent with your pledge to always protect law enforcement?"
Blanche: "There is nothing inconsistent."
Welker: "On Jan. 6 police officers were beaten with bats and flagpoles. Do you believe it was wrong to assault police officers on Jan. 6 given that you have vowed to protect law enforcement?"
Blanche: "No, I'm not opining or in any way saying that what President Trump did was wrong. Absolutely not."
Welker: "Is it inconsistent with your pledge?"
Blanche: "No…There is a difference between saying we will prosecute anybody. If later a president chooses to pardon that individual, that is the president's right under our constitution."
Welker: "What message does it send to police officers that people who assaulted them were pardoned."
Blanche: "The message to police officers is consistent in saying every day we will protect you."
Welker: "Trump pardoned everyone who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, including 172 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers. How is that consistent with your pledge to always protect law enforcement?"
Blanche: "There is nothing inconsistent."
Welker: "On Jan. 6 police officers were beaten with bats and flagpoles. Do you believe it was wrong to assault police officers on Jan. 6 given that you have vowed to protect law enforcement?"
Blanche: "No, I'm not opining or in any way saying that what President Trump did was wrong. Absolutely not."
Welker: "Is it inconsistent with your pledge?"
Blanche: "No…There is a difference between saying we will prosecute anybody. If later a president chooses to pardon that individual, that is the president's right under our constitution."
Welker: "What message does it send to police officers that people who assaulted them were pardoned."
Blanche: "The message to police officers is consistent in saying every day we will protect you."