On Monday’s “The Readout,” MSNBC host Joy Reed argued that Trump supporters could incite violence during the former president’s arraignment.
Reed argued that Trump supporters are taking cues from right-wing figures such as unsuccessful Arizona gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake and former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle. He cited an online message board where he allegedly witnessed users threatening violence in retaliation for Trump’s indictment. Reed claimed that a local Proud Boys chapter was planning a rally on the federal court grounds. (Related: Special Counsel Jack Smith Breaks Silence on Trump Indictment)
Former FBI agent Peter Strack said, “Yeah, Joy, I’m really worried.” “We want our political leaders to defuse tensions. And if they’re not going to turn it down, at least say nothing about it. ”
“But what we do know are the people who are actually exacerbating the tensions. President Trump walked out at a campaign rally and told his supporters, ‘They’re not chasing me,’ They’re chasing you, and I’m the only one who’s stopping the government from chasing you.”
Strzok said he had been previously nominated and targeted for the presidency, which had resulted in a spike in violent threats against him. Reed called out that the Proud Boys were allegedly planning a rally at the arraignment scene, and asked the former FBI agent about possible violence.
“Certainly, there is potential for violence from organized groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. It doesn’t include every individual who may be motivated by violence, and you may remember the raid on the FBI field office in Cincinnati literally days after the Mar-a-Lago raid. Now, it has nothing to do with the search that took place in Central Ohio, Florida, but what that means is, you know, certainly, I’m a law enforcement agency in the Miami area, federal law. We fully expect enforcement agencies, state and local officials to be very demanding, and we are ready to provide a safe court,” Strzok said.
Reid added that FBI offices need to be “vigilant” across the country. Strzok said most Trump supporters are law-abiding and did not intend to incite violence, but were concerned about those on the “periphery.”