Justin M. Howard | January 7, 2021
A large mob of Trump protestors broke into the U.S. Capitol today. Heavily armed police moved in to disperse the crowd while some battled with law enforcement. Many were injured and tragically an unidentified woman was shot and killed. The motives behind the chaos according to USA Today “was for the purpose of delaying the Electoral Count Act.” Many news sources accuse the rioters of trying to manipulate the election results. The argument on the other side is that the Democratic party are the ones trying to manipulate the election with acts of fraud. Regardless of stance, it’s clear that Trump will be blamed for everything that happens. As of now Trump is being blamed for bringing the mob into existence and unleashing them into the Capitol. Is that really what happened? Did Trump encourage the Capitol rioters ?
Donald Trump stated in his video address: “I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now.” We have to have peace. We have to have law and order and great people in law [enforcement],” Trump maintained that the election was “fraudulent,” but stipulated that Capitol protesters “can’t play into the hands of these people … we have to have peace.” Before the video post, Trump called on the demonstrators to remain peaceful and not attack the U.S. Capitol Police officers.
Mike Pence also had this to say: “The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now,” Pence wrote. “Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building … peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”