The Republican National Committee is treading on shaky ground by characterizing the Jan. 6 riot in the U.S. Capitol building as legitimate public discourse.

Just as it was not legitimate political discourse to riot during protests in cities around the country in 2020, it was not legitimate political discourse to enter the U.S. Capitol building, attack police officers and threaten elected officials.

We agree with Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, who recently backed Rep. Mitch McConnell’s disagreement with the RNC’s statement.

“I support getting to the bottom of those that engaged in January 6th situation, and they be held fully accountable,” Reed said. “Any description by a Republican party that says that this was some type of political honest discourse and should not be sanctioned and justice should not be held is something that I’m going to adamantly disagree with.”

Reed is far from alone amongst Republicans critical of the RNC. Republicans were poised for a rebound election in November. But trying to reframe a riot as legitimate discourse runs the risk of dividing the party — not those who run for elected office as Republicans, but those who vote as Republicans.

Just as centrist Democrats often don’t agree with the far left flank of their party, centrist Republicans find themselves shaking their heads with the RNC’s attempt to reframe the Jan. 6 riot as legitimate political discourse. The second-worst thing the RNC could do is give voters a reason to stay home in November.

The worst thing it could do is to encourage actions like the Jan. 6 riot.