Trump's Remarks Labeling Capitol Rioters as 'Hostages' Met with Outrage Amid Recent Hamas Hostage Crisis

Trump's "hostages" comparison for imprisoned Capitol rioters draws ire for coinciding with an ongoing crisis involving real hostages in Hamas-Israel conflict, as critics denounce his comment as 'repulsive' and 'deeply offensive'.

Former President Donald Trump has been criticized for labeling jailed Capitol rioters as 'hostages' during a campaign rally in Houston, Texas, with critics calling his comments 'deeply offensive' and 'repulsive'.
The backlash has been intensified by the timing of Trump's remarks, which coincide with a serious hostage crisis in the Hamas-Israel conflict where over 200 people, including 10 Americans, have been taken hostage by Hamas.
Since the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, over 1,000 people have been charged according to Department of Justice data. These charges range from assaulting or impeding law enforcement (a felony) to entering restricted federal buildings and destruction of government property.
TV host Joe Scarborough, in particular, called out Trump's comparison, claiming that Trump was likening the rioters to Jews who were forcefully taken from their homes in Gaza during the current crisis.
Despite the backlash, Trump's team defended his statement, labeling critics as 'moronic liberals and Never Trumpers who suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.'