Donald Trump was wrong when he pardoned and released all the January 6 rioters on his first day as US president, Nigel Farage said today.
The reform leader criticized the new US leader when questioned about Trump's actions in the week since his return to the White House.
The far-right Republican pardoned 1,500 people, including white supremacists, jailed in connection with the 2021 storming of the Capitol in Washington, DC, after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden.
Trump also directed the attorney general to request dismissals of approximately 450 pending criminal cases against Jan. 6 suspects.
The pardon fulfilled Trump's promise to release supporters who tried to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago.
Among those freed was Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was given a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy over the storming of the Capitol amid baseless claims that the 2020 election was “stolen.”
Speaking to LBC today, Mr Farage, who went to DC for the inauguration but was not given a place at the indoor event, said: 'Two wrongs don't make a right. I'm surprised they've all been released.”
He also revealed that he has spoken to Elon Musk, despite calls from billionaire owner X to replace him as reform leader.
The reform leader criticized the new US leader when questioned about Trump's actions in the week since his return to the White House.
Among those freed was Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was given a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy over the storming of the Capitol amid baseless claims that the 2020 election was “stolen.”
He and Farage fell out earlier this month over the South African-born businessman's support for jailed far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.
The row came despite a meeting at the Trumps' Mar-a-Lago resort in December to discuss money.
But Mr Farage said today: Yes, we are in discussions. We've talked about the things we agree on and of course there are things we disagree on and that's fine…
“I have my own opinion (on Tommy Robinson) and I have shared it. He has a slightly different opinion than I do, as do many Americans. I'm going to do what I like. I lead a political party that is making enormous progress.'
At the same time, a senior campaign aide to the president said last night that Trump had sided with Musk — who has been criticized for giving a Nazi salute after the inauguration — over his support for Robinson.
Bryan Lanza told ITV's Peston: “What I've learned from President Trump over the years is that he values people who have made things, people who have created things, disruptive people… he's going to listen to what Elon has to say on these things, and it will have an impact.
'It's going to matter. I mean, Nigel Farage is a much smaller person today in Donald Trump's eyes than he was two weeks ago, as a result of Elon's tweet and involvement in this issue.”
Last night Trump praised Sir Keir Starmer.
The new US president said he was a “very good relationship” with the prime minister and hinted he could still make Britain the destination of his first oversight trip in his second term in the White House.
Speaking to LBC today, Mr Farage, who went to DC for the inauguration but was not given a place at the indoor event, said: 'Two wrongs don't make a right. I'm surprised they've all been released.” He also revealed that he has spoken to Elon Musk despite calls from billionaire owner X to replace him as reform leader.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he planned to speak to Sir Keir within the next 24 hours after rejecting him for nearly a week since taking office.
Sir Keir and other senior Labor ministers are locked in an ongoing battle with Elon Musk, billionaire X's owner and a key ally of the president.
But overnight the president was asked about his own relationship with the prime minister.
'I've met him three times already. He came to see me twice. I have a phone call. He and I have a call in the next 24 hours,” he said.
'Now I get along with him, well, I like him a lot. He's a liberal, which is a little different for me, but I think he's a very good person.
“I think he's done really well so far. He does his job… but he represents his country in terms of his philosophy.
'I may not agree with his philosophy, but I have a very good relationship with him. I saw him twice at dinner with him in Trump Tower, as you probably know.”
Sir Keir last met Trump at Trump Tower in New York during last year's presidential campaign.
The pair also spoke on the phone after Trump's election victory, with Downing Street saying both men agreed the relationship between Britain and the US was “incredibly strong” and would “continue to thrive”.
