VA Gov Candidate Distances Himself From Rally Where Supporters Pledged Allegiance To A “Capitol Riot Flag”

October 14, 2021 Republicans, Trump cultists

Republican Glenn Youngkin wouldn’t say Thursday whether he wants former President Donald Trump to campaign for him in the final weeks of Virginia’s high-stakes gubernatorial election and distanced himself from a controversial right-wing rally supporting his candidacy the night before.

Youngkin — who is trying to walk a fine line by appealing to both “forever Trumpers and never Trumpers,” as he puts it — said he didn’t know about Wednesday’s “Take Back Virginia Rally” in Richmond, where attendees pledged allegiance to a flag organizers said was present at the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

“I wasn’t involved, so I don’t know. But if that was the case, then we shouldn’t pledge allegiance to that flag,” Youngkin said. “And by the way, I’ve been so clear, there is no place for violence — none, none — in America today. We have our rights to assemble and protest protected…but there is no room for violence.”

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NEW: Glenn Youngkin distances himself from last night’s rally featuring Trump and Steve Bannon — says they shouldn’t pledge allegiance to Jan. 6 flag — and won’t say if he wants Trump to campaign for him. https://t.co/8NVLh3c5Xq

— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) October 14, 2021

Here’s the video. @GlennYoungkin “If that is the case, then we shouldn’t pledge allegiance to that flag…. There is no place for violence, none, none, in America today.” @wusa9 @CBSNews @cnn @TerryMcAuliffe pic.twitter.com/7jHgX8XvTT

— Bruce Leshan (@BruceLeshan) October 14, 2021