Controversial Facebook Posts Surface from Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity
Recent revelations have brought to light a series of Facebook posts from Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, which question the legitimacy of the 2020 election and express support for the rioters involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
As the presumptive Republican gubernatorial candidate, Garrity’s views on the rioters, who were supporters of then-President Donald Trump seeking to halt the certification of the election, appear more sympathetic than previously known.
During the violent events at the Capitol, where participants vandalized property and left behind waste, Garrity’s campaign released a statement on Facebook condemning the violence and offering prayers for law enforcement. Although the statement was in Garrity’s name, metadata shows it was posted by a consultant.
Responses to this statement included comments defending the rioters. Garrity replied from her personal account, referring to the rioters as “patriots.” She noted her participation in a protest against the election certification the day prior.
“I am proud of our Patriots,” Garrity stated. “Just want to make sure our patriots, law enforcement, and soldiers are safe. I went to Harrisburg yesterday and spoke at the vets rally against what happened in PA in November.”
Another user claimed the riot was a stand against communism and accused Garrity of joining the political establishment by not acknowledging this. Garrity responded, “I am not going to become part of the swamp! I spoke at the rally in Harrisburg yesterday condemning the election and lack of integrity. Just want to make sure that law enforcement and soldiers and our patriots don’t get hurt.”
Garrity also agreed with comments suggesting the riot was instigated by external forces.
Garrity’s defense of Trump’s election fraud assertions is not new. Post-election, her campaign aligned with Trump to challenge over 2,000 mail-in ballots in Bucks County, a petition that was ultimately dismissed by both the Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
In May 2022, Garrity joined Trump at a Greensburg rally, echoing his claim that the 2020 election was not lost. “I’m telling you, this is the first time we had a Republican treasurer in 20 years, and the first time a Republican beat a Democrat incumbent since 1988, and I have President Donald J. Trump to thank for that,” she said. “We know that he won.”
Trump’s allegations of election fraud focus heavily on Philadelphia, accusing illegal voting practices without evidence. Garrity supported these claims during an August 2024 radio interview, stating, “I think that there’s probably always been fraud in Philadelphia, and there always will be fraud in Philadelphia. It’s just a matter of what, to what degree.”
Despite numerous lawsuits and independent investigations affirming the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, President Joe Biden won by over 80,000 votes in Pennsylvania.
Following his second-term inauguration, Trump pardoned all January 6 rioters and sought to have some of their criminal records expunged. In January 2025, Garrity stated to the Philadelphia Inquirer that she did not have an opinion on the pardons.
Garrity is set to challenge Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who is seeking reelection.
