During an interview with Brian Glenn of the Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN) on Tuesday, Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene compared former President Donald Trump's imminent arraignment on criminal charges to the arrests of Nelson Mandela and Jesus Christ.
Greene made the statement while en route to a pro-Trump rally in downtown Manhattan, where she was the headline speaker. She claimed that Trump was "joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today," adding that he had "done nothing wrong."
You can hear what Greene said in the video below.
Greene said:
"Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus was arrested and murdered by the Roman government."
"There have been many people throughout history that have been arrested and persecuted by radical, corrupt governments, and it's beginning today in New York City, and I just can't believe it's happening, but I'll always support him. He's done nothing wrong."
Greene, who has been dating Glenn since late last year, left the rally after 20 minutes, having recycled earlier comments she had made attacking Democrats, immigration policies, and LGBTQ rights.
Despite Trump's prediction of "death and destruction" and mass unrest ahead of his indictment by the Manhattan district attorney's office, the rally was small and peaceful, with only around 100 Trump supporters in attendance. They were significantly outnumbered by members of the media.
Greene's comparison of Trump to Mandela and Christ has been widely criticized.
Many viewed it as an inappropriate and disrespectful characterization of two historical figures who faced genuine persecution and discrimination. The comparison has been seen as particularly egregious given Trump is a former President facing charges related to an alleged cover-up of an extramarital affair.
On Tuesday afternoon, the ex-President turned himself in at the Manhattan Criminal Court and was taken into custody.
He has been accused of committing 34 felony charges, which include the fabrication of business records to conceal a payment of $130,000 made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the last days of his 2016 presidential campaign, allegedly to keep her from revealing their alleged affair.
Trump and his legal team maintain that he did nothing wrong in connection to the payment.
