Lindsey Graham Draws MAGA Fury After Mildly Criticizing Donald Trump

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) this weekend drew ire from Donald Trump’s MAGA base after he dared to criticize the president’s blanket pardoning of the Jan. 6 rioters — including those who had engaged in acts of violence.

NBC’s “Meet The Press” host Kristen Welker asked Graham if he thought Trump had been “wrong” with his widespread granting of clemency.

“Number one, he had the legal authority to do it,” Graham pointed out. “But I fear that you will get more violence. Pardoning the people who went into the Capitol and beat up a police officer, violently, I think, was a mistake, because it seems to suggest that’s an OK thing to do.” Graham made similar comments to CNN’s Dana Bash, saying the pardons “sent the wrong signal.”

Members of Trump’s loyal base flipped out over Graham’s mild chiding of the returned POTUS. They slammed the senator as a “snake” and a “RINO,” or Republican In Name Only.

Graham was a fierce critic of Trump before the latter’s 2016 election victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The lawmaker went on to become one of Trump’s most loyal defenders, breaking with him slightly over the Jan. 6 riot, before resorting to his supportive ways.