Trump demands release of supporters jailed for Jan. 6 Capitol riot: ‘I call them hostages’

Panelists of 'The Big Weekend Show' recently discussed the potential implications of ex-President Trump's dismissal from primary ballots across America. Explore this article freely and gain limitless access to our wide collection of articles, videos and more. Remember to input an operational email address. By giving your email, you consent to Fox News' Service Terms and Privacy Policies, encompassing our Financial Incentive Notice. To view the content, confirm your email and follow the given instructions.

Ex-President Trump, on the third year mark since the Jan. 6 Capitol invasion, called for the liberation of all his supporters who were found guilty or are currently imprisoned for the said incident-related crimes. These remarks were made during Trump's political tour in Clinton, Iowa, on Saturday, where he referred to his incarcerated followers as "hostages." Over 1,200 participants of the riot have been impeached with more than 900 pleading guilty or found guilty. In his speech to the crowd in Iowa, Trump stated, "They've had enough. I call them hostages. Others refer to them as prisoners." He added, "I got impeached for questioning the fraudulent election."

Ahead of the Jan. 15 primary in the state, Trump is running in Iowa. He continues to dominate against closest competitors, ex-Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis. This week, he will carry on his campaigning efforts and make appearances at a couple of faith events in Iowa on Monday. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and ex-Governor Mike Huckabee of the Diamond State will accompany him at the afternoon and evening events.

His recent statements coincide with the third year mark of the Capitol riot, observed by political analysts across various platforms. Jonathan Capehart, host of the MSBNC program, got emotional during his Saturday show while interviewing a police officer who served at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The FBI is persistently investigating and prosecuting suspects recorded inside the Capitol from security and social media clips.

Anders Hagstrom, a Fox News Digital reporter covering national politics and key breaking news events, can be contacted at Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.