On Friday, former President Donald Trump made a controversial comparison, likening individuals charged in connection to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. In an interview with political commentator Dan Bongino, Trump questioned, “Why are they still being held? Nobody’s ever been treated like this,” referencing the treatment of January 6 rioters.
So far, over 1,500 individuals have faced federal charges related to the Capitol breach. Among them, more than 950 have pleaded guilty, and about 200 have been convicted post-trial.
Earlier that day, Trump addressed supporters at the White House Ellipse before the riot occurred, where he urged them to “march peacefully and patriotically” to the Capitol. Yet, he also spurred them on with phrases like “We fight like hell.” The riot stemmed from false claims by Trump alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which left around 140 police officers injured and caused extensive damage to the Capitol building.
Trump has previously referred to the detained rioters as “hostages” and “victims,” advocating for their release and stating he would pardon them if he wins the upcoming election in November.
He claimed that the treatment of these rioters might parallel that of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, including U.S. citizens, who were forced into internment camps following a 1942 executive order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In response, Sharon Yamato, whose parents were among the interned, expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Japanese Americans are not and should not be compared to insurrectionists who committed major crimes.” She criticized the comparison as inappropriate and offensive.
The internment of Japanese Americans has been characterized as driven by “racial prejudice, war hysteria, and political leadership failures,” according to a 1983 congressional report. President Ronald Reagan later acknowledged this injustice with the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which formally apologized and provided reparations to surviving victims.
Reporting by The Associated Press contributed to this article.