Former President Donald Trump adamantly claimed that the events of January 6th, where his supporters stormed the Capitol and attacked numerous law enforcement officers, were not characterized by violence. Instead, he referred to it as a “day of love” where no wrongdoing took place.
During a Univision town hall on Wednesday, the Republican presidential nominee was questioned about the assault on the Capitol. A voter, who admitted to being a former registered Republican, expressed concern over Trump’s behavior during the riot but stated that the former president still had the potential to win his vote.
“I’d like to offer you a chance to win back my vote, alright?” expressed the voter. “Your actions, or perhaps lack thereof, throughout your presidency and the past few years have left me somewhat disturbed.
The events of January 6th and the fact that you took so long to take action while your followers attacked the Capitol… I’m curious as to why individuals so close to you and your administration no longer wish to support you.
So, why should I support you? If you could address these questions for me, I would greatly appreciate it and it would provide you with an opportunity. After all, even your own vice president doesn’t want to support you anymore.”
According to Trump, his supporters who gathered in Washington on January 6 did not come because of him, but rather because of their belief that the election was rigged. He emphasized that their motivation to come to the capital was rooted in their concerns about the election.
On December 19, 2020, just a little over two weeks before January 6th, President Trump took to Twitter and posted a message that said, “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”
According to Trump, some of his supporters heeded his call to peacefully and patriotically demonstrate at the Capitol. He emphasized that no wrongdoing was committed by these individuals.
However, he acknowledged that strong action was taken, leading to the unfortunate death of Ashli Babbitt, while clarifying that no other fatalities occurred.
“There were no guns down there, we didn’t have guns,” Trump emphasized. He explained that while others in the crowd may have been armed, those who walked alongside him did not possess any firearms.
It is important to note that this smaller group represented only a fraction of the entire gathering, a fact that often goes unnoticed and unreported.
Trump described the atmosphere that day as one filled with love, as millions of people, potentially the largest group he had ever addressed, came together in a peaceful and patriotic manner.
He was invited to speak, and he delivered his message, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and patriotic actions.” The way Trump describes Jan. 6, a portrayal he frequently repeats, hardly resembles the violent events that unfolded at the Capitol on that day.
Over 1,000 individuals have faced conviction in relation to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, with approximately 350 trials still awaiting resolution. Among the defendants, many have been charged with offenses such as assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees.
Disturbingly, the Justice Department’s figures from January 2024 reveal that over 100 individuals have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
Around 140 police officers experienced assaults on January 6, with approximately 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and approximately 60 from D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department.
The events on that day led to the tragic deaths of four individuals at the Capitol, and one officer, who was on duty during the riot, passed away days later. Moreover, four police officers stationed at the Capitol on January 6 lost their lives to suicide in the months that followed.
Multiple pieces of evidence contradict Trump’s claim that there were no guns present during the riot. Court documents, as well as photos and videos, clearly depict several rioters brandishing firearms.
Moreover, individuals were also found with other weapons such as knives, bats, and flagpoles, which they used as weapons. Additionally, some individuals even used pepper spray and bear spray during the violent incident.
At 12:45 p.m. on January 6, a group of Trump supporters made their way to the Capitol, marching across the National Mall following Trump’s address to a crowd near the White House earlier that morning.
The D.C. police declared a riot at the Capitol by 1:49 p.m., prompting the U.S. Capitol Police chief to urgently request assistance from the D.C. National Guard.
Meanwhile, as the rioters were attacking the Capitol and putting members of Congress and Vice President Pence in danger, Trump took to Twitter and criticized Pence for not having the courage to take the necessary steps to protect our country and Constitution.
Around 2:30 p.m., Trump took to Twitter and expressed his support for the Capitol Police and Law Enforcement, stating that they were on the side of the country. However, he did not explicitly ask his supporters to stop their actions at that point.
It was only at 4:17 p.m. that Trump finally urged the rioters to go home through social media, although he also falsely claimed that the election had been “stolen.” It’s important to note that he provided no evidence to support this accusation.