Trump blasts Pence, urges Capitol rioters to be peaceful

Douglas Braff

Jan 6, 2021

Amid Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol and violently clashing with Capitol Police Wednesday, and following Vice President Mike Pence’s refusal to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory, President Donald Trump reacted on Twitter to the ongoing situation.

The violence has caused the Capitol to enter lockdown for the safety of lawmakers and staffers, according to multiple reports.

“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,” Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon. “USA demands the truth!”

Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

Minutes later, Trump urged his supporters to be peaceful, saying: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346904110969315332

Prior to the president’s pair of tweets, his eldest son Donald Trump Jr. condemned the violence.

“This is wrong and not who we are. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side,” Trump Jr. posted, retweeting a video of protesters clashing with police. “We have a country to save and this doesn’t help anyone.”

This is wrong and not who we are. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn’t help anyone. https://t.co/3oUAPxuwi9
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 6, 2021

As the situation started to rapidly develop, Republican politicians denounced the actions of Trump’s supporters. Here is what some of them have stated:

Every American has the right to peacefully protest.

But storming the US Capitol and attacking the brave men and women of the Capitol police force is wrong.

This is not who we are. pic.twitter.com/sRUMJleIEn
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) January 6, 2021

Thank you to Capitol Police for protecting the People's House.

Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 6, 2021

https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1346890373319299073

United States Capitol Police saved my life.

Attacks on law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs are never acceptable. Period.

We can passionately protest without being violent.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 6, 2021

You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.