In a recent interview on Fox News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Democrats and the media for using the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol as a "bloody shirt" to "impugn" Americans. DeSantis expressed his concern that the attack has been manipulated to tarnish the reputation of millions of Americans and divert attention from pressing issues.

DeSantis, who has been repeatedly questioned about the events of Jan. 6, referred to the attack as a "riot" but noted that it is inappropriate to exploit it for political gain. He took aim at President Joe Biden, accusing him of failing to unite the country and urging him to move on from the issue.

The term "wave the bloody shirt" used by DeSantis refers to the rhetoric employed in the aftermath of the Civil War, specifically targeting politicians, mainly Republicans, who referenced the war's casualties in their campaigns. DeSantis highlighted that this tactic is now being used to smear Trump supporters and questioned the focus of the congressional committee investigating the events.

Notably, DeSantis rejected labeling the Jan. 6 riots as an "insurrection" on their first anniversary, emphasizing that no one has been charged with crimes fitting that definition. However, he voiced opposition to the recent attempts by some states to block former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot using the 14th amendment. DeSantis predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule against such measures, arguing that they violated Trump's due process rights.

Nevertheless, DeSantis faced a question from an Iowa voter about whether Trump engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6 but chose to highlight that no one has been charged with insurrection rather than directly addressing the question.

DeSantis, who is vying for the GOP presidential nomination against Trump, recognizes the importance of Iowa as a crucial state for his campaign. While DeSantis struggles to gain traction against Trump, the former president continues to reference the Jan. 6 attack during rallies, claiming the involvement of Antifa and the FBI and characterizing those imprisoned for their roles as "hostages."

As the discussion around Jan. 6 continues to shape the political landscape, Governor DeSantis maintains that it is essential to address the concerns of the people and focus on pressing issues rather than using the events of that day for political posturing.