Trump later pleaded for the crowd to “go home in peace.” However, his prerecorded video posted on his social media account repeated unfounded claims of election fraud.
Twitter, Facebook and YouTube removed the video from its sites.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
The outgoing president also tweeted again just after the 6 p.m. curfew went into effect. The second Twitter post urged supporters to go home, but again said the election was stolen from him. The second post was not removed.
These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and former Republican presidential candidate, condemned what he called an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in a statement he posted on Twitter.
“What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was an insurrection, incited by the president of the United States,” he said.
President-Elect Joe Biden said the incident “does not reflect the true America.”
Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
“What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness,” he said. “This is not dissent. It’s disorder. It’s chaos. It borders on sedition and it must end now.”
Trump’s calls for supporters to leave came after multiple lawmakers urged him to tell protesters to leave.
“We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately,” read a joint statement from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Republican lawmakers including Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz also condemned the protesters.
Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men & women of law enforcement are under assault. It is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 6, 2021
“There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill,” Rubio tweeted. “This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy.”
He also implored the President to restore order by “sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down.”
Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 6, 2021
The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence—from Left or Right— is ALWAYS wrong.
And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support.
Cruz said those storming the Capitol need to stop immediately.
“The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence — from Left or Right — is ALWAYS wrong,” he tweeted. “And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support.”
Pete Buttigieg, Biden’s Secretary of Transportation nominee, called for the violence to end.
“Words have consequences, especially the words of a president and his allies,” he said. “Today those consequences include violent rioters attacking our Capitol to overthrow the American democratic process. This must end, and democracy must prevail.”
Words have consequences, especially the words of a president and his allies. Today those consequences include violent rioters attacking our Capitol to overthrow the American democratic process. This must end, and democracy must prevail.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 6, 2021
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