After Wednesday’s chaos in Washington, DC, President Trump released a video on Thursday night, condemning the storming of the U.S. Capitol, calling it a “heinous attack” that had left him “outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem.”
Earlier Trump had posted messages expressing empathy with his tens of thousands of supporters who had come to Washington on Wednesday, telling them “go home, we love you, you’re very special.” Critics, of course, argued that this was Trump expressing support for the few hundred who stormed the Capitol.
With his Thursday video statement, Trump makes it clear his earlier comments were directed at the vast majority of his peaceful supporters that came to Washington, not the rabble that briefly took over the Capitol.
In the video Trump says solemnly and clearly that: “The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy.” The president also promised justice: “To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction: you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
These words and sentiments are similar to what I wrote earlier yesterday when I condemned the rioters, saying they were no better than the far-left Antifa and BLM rioters, we on the right have condemned for their months of violent rioting. I, too, urged they be prosecuted fully.
And then, in the video, in the closest thing to an election concession from Trump, he vowed to work toward an orderly transition of power. He said that now that Congress has certified the results, the “new administration will be inaugurated on January 20” and his “focus now turns to ensuring a smooth orderly and seamless transition of power.”
Trump also expressed his gratitude for serving the American people and urged his scores of millions of supporters to remain strong and look forward, stating:
To the citizens of our country, serving as your president has been the honor of my lifetime. And to all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.
After this video was tweeted Trump sent two other tweets, including one stating he would not be attending President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration. In the other he promised his followers he would remain a strong voice for them. Read more here and here.
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