President Trump on Wednesday urged his supporters who laid siege to the Capitol to “go home in peace,” hours after they first forced their way into the building.
In a one-minute taped video released on social media, Trump urged his supporters to disperse. But he reiterated his false claims that his election defeat was “fraudulent,” which was the basis for the protest in the first place.
“You have to go home now. We have to have peace,” Trump said. “We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt.”
“This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people,” he continued. “We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace.”
The video did not contain any clear condemnation of the violence at the Capitol, despite pleas from current and former White House officials and lawmakers for the president to speak out against the mob.
Instead, Trump continued to stoke conspiracy theories about the election result and painted his supporters as victims even as they were the ones who initiated violence on Wednesday.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who had described the riot in the Capitol as a “coup attempt,” called the president’s video message “cowardice.”
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- Discussion
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#BREAKING: Trump tells rioters at Capitol "go home," repeats claims that election "fraudulent" https://t.co/Dj9d28Nshy pic.twitter.com/QB5qM6eXJS
— The Hill (@thehill) January 6, 2021
THIS MORNING at the rally Giuliani called for "trial by combat."
Don Jr. told Congressmen who weren't going to vote to overturn the election: "We're coming for you."
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 6, 2021
The best part of this clip isn't the outrageous and outrageously stupid "let's have trial by combat" line. It's when he says a few seconds later, "I'm willing to stake my reputation…"
At this point, I don't think that would cover the ante. https://t.co/WQQyUifL9e
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) January 6, 2021
We warned you.#NeverTrump https://t.co/bMRRCYjOcf
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
When the Capitol is cleared and secured, and the joint session of Congress and the electoral vote count is completed, the House and the Senate should proceed immediately to the impeachment and removal of @realDonaldTrump.
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 6, 2021
Trump should be impeached and convicted tomorrow.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 6, 2021
Impeach and convict. Tonight. https://t.co/jWsKTgQ1eX
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
This is outrageous, and the president caused it. We should impeach and convict him tomorrow.
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 6, 2021
Cults of Personality pic.twitter.com/TOOHqGLTPL
— Peter Strzok (@petestrzok) January 6, 2021
Trump calming everyone down by saying "it was a stolen election in a landslide, but go home"
This is insane.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
Shorter Trump: "Someone told me to say that I'd like you to go home, but you know that what I'm saying is that you're right, you should keep doing this, and with enough violence against the 'evil' people, I can stay in office." https://t.co/AWBsf1XKIs
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
#ImpeachAgain https://t.co/R4FtmYcetp
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
Yet again, I ask @Liz_Cheney: And what are you prepared to do? https://t.co/70Uvwm8pRJ
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2021
Statement just in from former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis blasting Trump for fomenting “an effort to subjugate American democracy.” pic.twitter.com/cYYMdCa0lx
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) January 7, 2021
Tell me again that character doesn’t matter.
Tell me again that the only concern about Trump is with his “manners.”
You monumental hypocrites and cowards. Look what you’ve done.
— David French (@DavidAFrench) January 6, 2021
This is one of the most terrible days in American history- not attacked by a foreign power but from within by the sitting President inciting our own citizens to commit acts of violence in the Nation's Capital and subvert democracy. 'Shameful' and 'horrifying' do not go far enough
— David Cassidy (@dpcassidyC3) January 6, 2021
Resign. https://t.co/VkQoCrj5cZ
— David French (@DavidAFrench) January 6, 2021
The hollowness of the furrowed-brow concerns now from the irresponsible demagogues who amplified these lies all along – in the WH, in the Congress, in conservative media. Disgusting.
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) January 6, 2021
This is a physical attack on the separation of powers and several Republicans who want to be President are on the side of the attackers.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 6, 2021
Trump refused for hours to call out the National Guard. When he finally did, the damage was done.
This tells me for certain he wanted all this to happen; he encouraged it. And the prominent Republicans like Ted Cruz coming forward now are liars. They knew what would happen today and by their silence earlier and there willingness to attempt to fight against confirmation of the EC vote, they encouraged the violence too.
In a perfect world, all of them from Trump on down would be arrested and jailed tonight. But we know that won’t happen. All this talk about impeachment and invoking the 25th Amendment is just hot air too. Nothing will happen. Our leadership is no leadership at all.
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