Trump urged his supporters to end their assault on the US capitol – but still reiterated claims that the presidential election was “fraudulent”
Donald Trump has urged his supporters to end their attack on the US capitol in Washington DC.
Pro-Trump rioters clashed with police and security guards inside the building. It has since been evacuated.
The Capitol building houses the US Congress – which is currently adjourned from verifying Electoral College votes. Upon conclusion of this count, it is expected to reaffirm Joe Biden as President-Elect of the United States.
Earlier today, pro-Trump supporters began their descent on the US capitol with a ‘March for Trump’ / ‘Save America’ rally held outside the building. Trump himself spoke at this event.
One person has been shot in America's Capitol after armed Trump supporters stormed the building and fought with police.
Congress was forced to suspend the certification of Joe Biden's election victory. pic.twitter.com/SF3tNzypuv
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) January 6, 2021
Later on in the day, Trump supporters stormed the US capitol on their way to the White House. They clashed with police and security guards, even setting off fire extinguishers while inside the building.
Trump distanced himself from the violence when he tweeted: “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
As the siege continued, Trump then posted a video address to his Twitter account. He denounced violence, and urged supporters to end their assault on the US capitol, but he did reiterate unfounded claims that the recent presidential election was ‘stolen’ from him.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346928882595885058
In the statement, Trump says:
“I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us – it was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side.
“But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order.
“We don’t want anybody hurt – it’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us.
“This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace.”
Trump ended his video statement by stating: “We love you. You’re very special”.
Twitter has prevented anyone from replying to, retweeting or liking the clip due to the claims of election fraud and “a risk of violence”.
