News Republicans’ opinions of Trump’s role in Capitol riots softened between Jan. 6 and acquittal vote February 15, 2021 Matthew Brown and William Cummings, USA TODAY Comments Off on Republicans’ opinions of Trump’s role in Capitol riots softened between Jan. 6 and acquittal vote Pollster Frank Luntz said Trump has made it hard for GOP politicians to defend him, but not to the extent they are willing to join Democrat's attacks.