President Trump has issued over 1,500 pardons or commutations to defendants from the January 6 events, provoking shock and outrage. This contrasts sharply with his narrative as the 'party of law and order,' creating cognitive dissonance among his pro-police supporters. The article discusses ways individuals cope with cognitive dissonance, such as social comparison and external justification, illustrating how Republicans are grappling with Trump's actions that seem to undermine their supposed dedication to law enforcement.
Despite President Trump's public commitment to 'always back the blue,' his pardons for over 1,500 defendants raise serious questions about the integrity of this stance.
The cognitive dissonance created by Trump's pardons is palpable among supporters who identify as pro-law enforcement, challenging their beliefs about loyalty and order.
Modes of dissonance reduction observed range from social comparison with Biden's pardons to external justifications that evoke bias while attempting to rationalize Trump's actions.
Cognitive dissonance highlights a conflict between the ideals of law and order espoused by Trump's base and the reality of pardoning those who attacked police.
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