In the lowest moment of Trump’s presidency, tens of millions stick by him Author: Jaweed Kaleem, Kurtis Lee, Richard Read, Jenny Jarvie, Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times Updated: January 19 Published January 19
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Print article TUCSON, Ariz. – After four years of President Trump, Betsy Smith has no trouble reciting many of his faults. “He’s inartful. He has a big personality. He uses the wrong words. He makes people angry,” said Smith, who worked for 29 years as a police officer in suburban Chicago before moving to Tucson and launching a police training company. But despite the many scandals, racist invective, lies and violence that have left Trump with his lowest approval ratings, fewer allies than ever in Congress and a looming Senate trial as the only president to be impeached twice, Smith has no regrets about voting for him.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
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Just under half of Republicans told pollsters from the Pew Research Center that Trump shares no responsibility for the Jan. 6 riot, despite his caustic speech on the National Mall immediately before the mob infiltrated the Capitol.
A majority of Republicans 64% say Trump won the election, despite no evidence of significant fraud, dozens of unsuccessful court challenges and assurances from state election officials of both major parties.
“I respect and welcome Joe Biden as president,” said Smith, who blames Trump’s extremist supporters for giving people like her a bad name. “But I never wanted it to be this way.”