Trump's about-face on violence against police from Jan. 6 to Los Angeles

President Donald Trump has promised swift retribution for any violence against law enforcement by protesters in Los Angeles.“IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” he wrote on his social media platform after making a similar statement a day earlier to reporters.

President Donald Trump has promised swift retribution for any violence against law enforcement by protesters in Los Angeles.

“IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” he wrote on his social media platform after making a similar statement a day earlier to reporters. “Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”

It is an about-face for the president.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Peter Stager assaulted an officer with a flagpole during the riot on the U.S. Capitol. Another, Daniel “D.J.” Rodriguez, drove a stun gun into the neck of a Capitol Police officer and pleaded guilty to the crime. And a third, Julian Khater, pepper-sprayed Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick in the face. Sicknick later died.

Trump pardoned them all.