Donald Trump received birthday messages from most of his family including his children a couple days ago, but Melania posted nothing for him on social media.
Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell strongly criticized Republican lawmakers for their warm reception of former President Trump during his recent closed-door meetings with House and Senate GOP members. Gonell, who bravely defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection, expressed deep disappointment over how these lawmakers seemed to forget the fear and danger they faced that day.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Jason Johnson, Gonell described the scene where lawmakers welcomed Trump as “very disappointing.” He highlighted the sacrifices made by law enforcement on January 6 to protect those same members of Congress who now greeted Trump as if he had accomplished something great at the Capitol.
Gonell pointed out the irony that instead of honoring the police officers who defended them, these lawmakers chose to hail Trump, whom he accused of putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. He criticized their failure to hold Trump accountable for his actions and denounced their portrayal of Trump as a hero.
Trump’s visit to the Capitol marked his first since the January 6 riots and his recent conviction in a Manhattan hush money case. After separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans, Trump claimed unity with the GOP on numerous issues, emphasizing a focus on “making our country great.”
Even Trump’s relationship with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, which had been fraught since 2020, appeared to have softened during these meetings. Despite past conflicts, Trump and McConnell reportedly found common ground, signaling a potential shift in their dynamic.
