In a speech that many view as his concession, Donald Trump criticizes his supporters who attacked the Capitol, shows concern about the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time, and admits that Joe Biden will take office on January 20th.
The speech is a last ditch effort to save himself as his Cabinet resigns amid 25th Amendment talks and Congress threatens impeachment. Jared Kushner, Stephen Miller, Mark Meadows, Ivanka Trump, and White House lawyers all had a hand in preparing the address.
I would like to begin by addressing the heinous attack on the United States Capitol. Like all Americans, I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness, and mayhem. I immediately deployed the National Guard and federal law enforcement to secure the building and expel the intruders.
Trump refused to authorize the National Guard for at least an hour after his army of citizens had entered the Capitol. Some reports citing Mike Pence’s office claim the National Guard wasn’t authorized until the National Security Adviser circumvented Trump and took orders from Pence.
America is and must always be a nation of law and order. The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.
Trump told them that he understands their pain and that he loves them just 24 hours ago. He told them they were fighting for the right reasons and to save the country. He instructed them to go to the Capitol before the attack.
We have just been through an intense election and emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled and calm restored. We must get on with the business of America. My campaign vigorously pursued every avenue to contest the election results. My only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote. In so doing, I was fighting to defend American democracy. I continue to strongly believe that we must reform our election laws to verify the identity and eligibility of all voters and to ensure faith and confidence in all future elections.
His own DHS and cybersecurity agency, in charge of protecting the election, said 2020 was the most secure election in modern U.S history. That report came out in November.
Additionally, it was Trump’s friends in Congress that blocked election security legislation.
Now Congress has certified the results. A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly, and seamless transition of power.
All reports suggest Trump’s focus is on pardoning him and his family members, and possibly fleeing the country the day before Joe Biden’s inauguration.
This moment calls for healing and reconciliation. 2020 has been a challenging time for our people. The menacing pandemic has upended the lives of our citizens, isolated millions in their homes, damaged our economy, and claimed countless lives. Defeating this pandemic and rebuilding the greatest economy on earth will require all of us working together.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that Democrats are behind the COVID-19 pandemic, that hospitals are dramatically lying about the death count to increase profits, and that our economy is already rebuilt and stronger than anyone could imagine.
It will require a renewed emphasis on the civic values of patriotism, faith, charity, community, and family. We must revitalize the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that bind us together as one national family. To the citizens of our country, serving as your president has been the honor of my lifetime. And to all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.
Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYKkQ3BOo_E
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pence-took-lead-as-trump-initially-resisted-sending-national-guard-to-capitol/ar-BB1cxxv4
https://news.yahoo.com/pence-not-trump-reportedly-approved-001600058.html
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-prepares-pardon-list-for-aides-and-family-and-maybe-himself/ar-BB1cyXeC
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/04/trump-biden-inauguration-plane-flight-scotland
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/01/08/House-leader-Impeachment-could-begin-next-week-if-Trump-not-removed/3581610107973/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/08/nation/theyre-resigning-avoid-invoking-25th-amendment-rollout-resignations-draws-pushback/
https://twitter.com/maggieNYT/status/1347555902627446795?s=20
https://www.axios.com/off-the-rails-trump-capitol-siege-601f6ff0-7465-4da7-9669-4629fb14f477.html
Photo: Public Domain