It is an outrageous attempt by Trump to rewrite the history of the insurrection, which he has fed repeatedly and falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from him. There is no evidence of widespread fraud, but Trump and many of his conservative allies in the media and on Capitol Hill continued to push the “big lie” independently.
Calling Fox News on Thursday night, Trump was asked if he was concerned about the enhanced security of the U.S. Capitol, including barbed wire fence, which he ridiculed as “shameful” and a “political ploy”.
“It was a zero threat, from the beginning, it was a zero threat. Look, they came in, they shouldn’t have come. Some came in and are hugging and kissing the police and the guards, you know, they had great relationships, “Trump told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham.” A lot of people got a signal to get in, and then they got in and out. “
Trump’s last attempt at whitewash came after the world was presented with reams of video evidence of the violence that broke out on January 6, criminal charges against participants, police statements, police reports about the violence and legislators’ descriptions of the fear they experienced that day.
Trump seemed to suggest that some of the protesters should suffer repercussions, but he quickly turned to attack the leftist Antifa movement, a familiar target of his that he often cited to trace a false equivalence by minimizing crimes committed on his behalf.
“They are chasing many of these people, and some of them should be – some things should happen to them. But when I look at Antifa in Washington, even, what they did to Washington and what they did to other places and the destruction and frankly, killing and beating people, and nothing happens to them. Why don’t they go after Antifa? “Trump told Fox News.
Ingraham then interrupted. “But would you say that people who commit crimes, regardless of their political affiliations, should be prosecuted?”
“Absolutely. What you said is exactly right,” replied Trump.
The crowd of pro-Trump supporters who invaded the U.S. Capitol intended to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections.
Many protesters clashed violently with the Capitol police, using various weapons, as they pushed through barriers to breach the Capitol complex. The riot left five people dead, including Capitol policeman Brian Sicknick, and more than 100 other police officers were injured.
Trump’s claim that some of the protesters were “hugging and kissing” the police may be a reference to videos from that day showing the police letting the protesters into the building and one of the Capitol cops taking a selfie with someone who was part of the crowd that surpassed the capital.
Upon entering the Capitol, protesters can be heard shouting death threats against Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and several lawmakers, some of whom hid around the building while the crowd searched for them.
Criminal complaints filed against some of the individuals who participated in the January 6 attack on the Capitol validated members’ security concerns and showed the seriousness of the threats against them. Members of extremist groups and far-right militants, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, were arrested and accused of being related to the Capitol riot.
Trump himself has been the target of two lawsuits filed by Democratic lawmakers who accuse him of fomenting the riot. He has repeatedly denied any responsibility.
CNN’s Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.
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