Former President Donald Trump dismissed the notion that the Capitol riot on January 6 amounted to an insurrection during a press conference following the Supreme Court’s oral arguments in the Colorado ballot ban case. Trump asserted that the absence of firearms and the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt were critical points, emphasizing, “there were no guns, there were no anything except they shot Ashli Babbitt.”
In response to a reporter’s inquiry about accusations linking him to the riot, including remarks from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Trump interrupted, stating he understood the question. The initial part of his response was overshadowed by ambient noise, resembling an airplane, but he later delivered an extended commentary.
Trump contended, “I think it was an insurrection caused by Nancy Pelosi. This was an insurrection, if it was an insurrection, which, there were no guns, there were no anything, except for the fact that they shot Ashli Babbitt.” He lamented the tragedy of Babbitt’s death but emphasized the absence of firearms during the incident. Notably, some January 6 defendants have admitted to carrying guns into the Capitol on that day.
The former president further elaborated on his response, referencing his post-riot statements on various platforms, including Truth Social and Twitter. He highlighted the peaceful nature of his messages, urging people to go home and expressing support for law enforcement. Trump specifically pointed to his Rose Garden speech preceding the riot, emphasizing the use of the words “peacefully and patriotically.”
Addressing the criticism about not intervening during the early stages of the riot, Trump defended himself, stating, “If you take a look at those 5 or 6 weeks, you will see very beautiful, very heartwarming statements. Go home. The police are doing their job, etc. etc.. Beautiful statements.” He insisted that his speech called for peaceful and patriotic actions, reiterating the importance of these words.
While acknowledging that Pence had been evacuated for his safety during the riot, Trump tweeted that Pence lacked the courage to take the necessary actions to protect the country. He accused Pence of not certifying a corrected set of facts, adding, “USA demands the truth!” Despite the unfolding violence, Trump’s tweets urged peaceful behavior and support for law enforcement, emphasizing the party’s commitment to law and order.
Later in the evening, Trump tweeted about the events, attributing them to the perceived injustice of an election victory being “unfairly stripped away.” He urged his supporters to go home with love and peace, stating, “Remember this day forever!”
In summary, Trump rejected the characterization of the Capitol riot as an insurrection, citing the absence of firearms and emphasizing his calls for peace in the aftermath. He defended his prior statements and pointed to the peaceful nature of his pre-riot speech, maintaining his position that the events were not incited by him.
