Former President Donald Trump characterized the January 6 Capitol attack as a “day of love,” dismissing the violent actions of his supporters who stormed the Capitol and assaulted numerous law enforcement officers. This statement came during a recent Univision town hall, where Trump claimed that “nothing” wrong had occurred on that day.
Trump’s Town Hall Remarks
During the town hall, a voter who identified as a former registered Republican expressed his concerns about Trump’s actions leading up to and during the Capitol riot. The voter noted his disappointment with Trump’s inaction while the Capitol was under siege, stating, “I want to give you the opportunity to try to win back my vote. Your action and maybe inaction during your presidency… was a little disturbing to me.” He further questioned Trump’s support base, pointing out that even his former Vice President, Mike Pence, no longer supports him.
In response, Trump criticized Pence, suggesting that he disagreed with Pence’s decision to uphold the Electoral College results from the 2020 presidential election, which Pence accurately stated was his constitutional duty.
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Misrepresentation of January 6
Trump continued to downplay the events of January 6, claiming that his supporters “didn’t come because of me—they came because of the election.” He insisted they believed the election was “rigged,” referencing his December 19, 2020, tweet encouraging a “big protest” in D.C. on January 6, declaring it would be “wild.”
Despite the overwhelming evidence of violence, Trump stated, “There were no guns down there; we didn’t have guns.” However, court documents and witness accounts reveal that some rioters were indeed armed, carrying firearms, knives, and using flagpoles as weapons. Furthermore, approximately 140 law enforcement officers were assaulted during the chaos, with several sustaining serious injuries.
The Reality of January 6
The reality of January 6 stands in stark contrast to Trump’s claims. Over 1,000 individuals have been convicted in connection with the riot, with around 350 trials still pending. Tragically, four people died at the Capitol that day, and several police officers later took their own lives as they struggled with the trauma of the event.
While Trump labeled the day as peaceful, video footage and accounts from law enforcement officers tell a different story, portraying the chaotic and violent atmosphere that erupted as rioters breached the Capitol.
The Timeline of Events
At 12:45 p.m. on January 6, a crowd of Trump’s supporters marched to the Capitol after he delivered a speech near the White House. By 1:49 p.m., D.C. police had declared a riot at the Capitol, and the U.S. Capitol Police chief had requested immediate assistance from the National Guard. During this time, Trump’s social media activity did not call for his supporters to disperse; instead, he tweeted criticism of Mike Pence, saying he “didn’t have the courage” to protect the country and constitution.
It wasn’t until 4:17 p.m. that Trump posted a message urging rioters to go home, simultaneously claiming that the election had been “stolen” without providing evidence for his assertions.
