Day after Capitol violence, Trump concedes, talks of 'healing,' 'reconciliation'
After peddling misinformation since November, claiming that Democrats stole the election, and approaching courts, United States President Donald Trump came the closest to conceding on Thursday (local time), a day after the violence at Capitol shamed his country and shocked the globe. Returning to Twitter post a temporary ban, the Republican assured of a smooth transition, while also speaking of "healing and reconciliation."
The seat of the US power, the Capitol, was compromised by a mob of Trump supporters on Wednesday, a first in modern American history. The rioters intended to derail the ceremonial Congress session, convened to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win. They smashed windows, clashed with cops, ransacked offices, briefly took over Senate Chamber, and raised slogans. Once commotion ended, the Senate completed its job.
The actions of the mob were blamed on Trump by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. He was slammed for not gracefully accepting results and instead, telling his supporters "we won't give up." Even tech giants Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Shopify levied curbs on him. Twitter had warned of a complete ban if his tactics continued.
Jack Dorsey's company had hidden and sought removal of three of Trump's tweets, in which he reportedly praised the mob, while banning him temporarily. It was clearly told that unless the said tweets weren't deleted, the ban would stay. Later, a Twitter spokesperson said Trump did the needful. He returned to the platform to say that his focus is now on transition.
In the two-and-half-minute-long video, he addressed the Capitol violence, saying like all Americans he was outraged by the lawlessness and mayhem. Those who engaged in violence don't represent our country, he added. Trump said his only goal was to fight for the integrity of the elections and in doing so, "I was fighting to defend American democracy." He called for a reform in election laws.
"A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly, and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation, (sic)" the 74-year-old said.
In the video, Trump took a mellowed tone, also saying that he immediately "deployed the National Guard" to expel the intruders. However, some reports claim he resisted deploying National Guard, prompting Vice President Mike Pence to intervene. "Now tempers must be cooled, and calm restored. We must get on with the business of America," he said, amid growing demands for his removal.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2021
A White House adviser privy to the development told CNN that Trump recorded the message only because a string of resignations threatened his presidency. "I think that video was done only because almost all his senior staff was about to resign, and impeachment is imminent. That message and tone should have been relayed election night...not after people died," the person said.
