Denver, Colorado – Former President Donald Trump voiced his support for a Colorado woman convicted of federal misdemeanor charges connected to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump labeled Rebecca Lavrenz, the woman convicted, as a “patriot” on his social media platform, Truth Social, urging his nearly 7 million followers to donate funds to help cover her legal fees.
Lavrenz was found guilty of disorderly and disruptive conduct along with three other charges in a court in Washington. Trump’s public endorsement of Lavrenz comes as part of his increasing focus on individuals charged and convicted in the violent Capitol riot, which resulted in injuries to numerous law enforcement officers and the temporary hiding of lawmakers, including his vice president at the time, Mike Pence.
According to court documents, Lavrenz admitted to being present at the Capitol on the day of the attack. She stated that she followed a crowd of people into the building after physical barriers were moved aside, engaged in a brief conversation with a Capitol police officer, and then exited the premises. Lavrenz, who is 71 years old, has gained attention on social media as the “J6 Praying Grandma” for her assertion that she traveled across the country to pray for the nation during the “Stop the Steal” rally.
Trump has been actively advocating for individuals arrested and convicted in connection to the Capitol riot. He has emphasized his support by sharing links to fundraising pages for legal defense funds of those involved, including Lavrenz. Moreover, Trump has suggested the possibility of pardoning rioters from the events of January 6, 2021, further solidifying his alliance with this group.
As Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination, key allies within the party have expressed empathy towards those involved in the attack while downplaying the severity of the violence that unfolded on that fateful day. Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Elise Stefanik have shown support for individuals categorized as “January 6 hostages,” hinting at a growing trend of sympathy within the party ranks.
In the midst of these developments, speculation surrounding potential running mates for Trump’s future campaigns has emerged. Sen. Tim Scott, who has been considered a likely contender, has chosen not to disclose his stance on certifying the 2020 election results—pointing to potential points of contention that could arise within the GOP regarding Trump’s leadership and the events of January 6, 2021.