Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign has retracted a line from a recent fundraising email that referred to individuals involved in the 2021 January 6 Capitol riot as "J6 activists" stripped of their Constitutional liberties.
The campaign's press secretary, Stefanie Spear, clarified that the statement was a mistake made by a new marketing contractor and does not reflect Kennedy's views.
Kennedy Campaign Disavows Email Language, Terminates Vendor Contract
"That statement was an error that does not reflect Mr. Kennedy's views. It was inserted by a new marketing contractor and slipped through the normal approval process," Spear stated.
The fundraising email, sent to supporters on Thursday, urged donations to support Kennedy's campaign efforts, including advocating for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and addressing alleged infringements on constitutional rights.
The email likened Assange, whistleblower Edward Snowden, and the Jan. 6 defendants as victims of government overreach.
"This is the reality that every American Citizen faces - from Ed Snowden, to Julian Assange to the J6 activists sitting in a Washington DC jail cell stripped of their Constitutional liberties. Please help our campaign call out the illiberal actions of our very own government," the fundraising email read, as first reported by NBC News.
Kennedy's campaign emphasized that the language used in the email was unintentional and terminated its contract with the marketing vendor responsible.
The campaign clarified that individuals who violated laws during the January 6 events should face appropriate consequences.
RFK Jr. Campaign Email Echoes Trump's Views on Capitol Rioters
The email's wording drew comparisons to former President Donald Trump's rhetoric regarding the Capitol rioters, whom he has described as "patriots" and "hostages" mistreated by the justice system.
Trump has also hinted at potential pardons for those involved in the insurrection if reelected.
On January 6, 2021, a group of supporters of then-President Donald Trump violently breached the US Capitol during the certification of the 2020 election results.
The mob engaged in acts of vandalism, threats against lawmakers, and confrontations with Capitol Police.
The chaos resulted in the tragic deaths of five individuals, among whom was a Capitol Police officer who was beaten by the rioters.
Kennedy, running as an independent candidate, had previously mentioned plans to pardon Assange and Snowden if elected but refrained from commenting on pardons for Jan. 6 defendants until after the general election, according to Politico.
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