EXCLUSIVE: President Trump is calling on Wednesday for “all Americans” to help “ease tensions and calm tempers”, saying he “does not” advocate violence “of any kind” – and is asking Big Tech to join to effort.
“In light of reports of further demonstrations, I urge that there should be NO violence, NO violations of the law and NOT vandalism of any kind,” the president said in a statement to Fox News. “This is not what I stand for and it is not what the United States stands for. I appeal to ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank you.”
A Trump adviser told Fox News that the statement will come out as an email from the White House press office. The White House will then attempt to publish the statement on all official Trump social media accounts.
The consultant also told Fox News that the statement would be published and distributed to all of Trump’s political campaigns and accounts.
“President Trump is asking all Americans to join him to ensure that there is an orderly and peaceful transition next week,” a senior Trump adviser told Fox News. “President Trump is also asking big tech companies to join him in this effort.”
The adviser added: “This is a critical moment in our nation’s history and we can certainly all come together to deliver this important message and not continue to do party politics.”
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The president’s statement came while the House was debating an impeachment article against him, saying he incited the insurrection, and days later he was permanently suspended from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Twitter, Facebook and Google did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment.
The statement also came a day after his first public appearance since the Capitol rebellion last week, telling reporters that he “did not want violence”.
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The Capitol riot on January 6 left Congress in jail while lawmakers met in a joint session to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election for President-elect Joe Biden. The riot left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer.
The riot came after the president spoke at a rally last Wednesday, telling his supporters that he “would never budge”. Later, Congress returned and certified the Electoral College’s vote on Thursday morning, formally giving Biden his presidential victory.
Meanwhile, Republican National Committee chairman Ronna McDaniel said on Wednesday that “violence has no place in our policy. Period.”
“I have completely condemned last week’s senseless acts of violence and I strongly reiterate calls to remain peaceful for the next few weeks,” said McDaniel. “Those who participated in the attack on our nation’s Capitol and those who continue to threaten with violence must be found, held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
She added: “Let me be clear: anyone with bad intentions is not welcome in Washington, DC or any other state capital. The peaceful transition of power is one of the fundamental principles of our nation and is necessary for our country move forward. “
McDaniel said that “now is the time to unite as a nation, united in the peaceful pursuit of our common democratic purpose.”