In his first public remarks after the House voted to impeach him for the second time, President Trump said in a video message that “no true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence,” ignoring the fact that he incited the mob that stormed the Capitol last week in an attack that left five people dead.
“I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week,” Trump said. “Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and our movement.”
Trump made no mention of the impeachment vote, which 10 Republicans supported.
The self-proclaimed president of “law and order” touted that “those who engaged in the attacks last week will be brought to justice.”
“No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence,” Trump said. “No true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement or our great American flag.”
Trump tried to promote himself as an advocate for unity — a tactic that Republicans have recently adopted to save face after egging on the President’s bogus claims of voter fraud that ultimately incited the pro-Trump mob to storm the Capitol last week.
“Now I am asking everyone who has ever believed in our agenda to be thinking of ways to ease tensions, calm tempers and help to promote peace in our country,” Trump said.
Towards the end of the White House-recorded video, Trump griped about being de-platformed by major social media networks, which he characterized as “the unprecedented assault on free speech.”
“Efforts to censor, cancel and blacklist our fellow citizens are wrong and they are dangerous,” Trump said. “What is needed now is for us to listen one another, not to silence one another.”
Watch Trump’s video message below:
