Trump Defends ‘Totally Appropriate’ Rally Speech That Incited Capitol Mob
In his first public comments since thousands of MAGA supporters stormed the Capitol last week, President Donald Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his inflammatory rhetoric that incited the mob—and warned Congress that impeachment would be dangerous to the United States.
Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House as he left for a trip to the border wall in Alamo, Texas, insisted that his comments last Wednesday weren’t harmful. Just moments after the speech, thousands of his supporters invaded the Capitol as Congress met to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, leaving a wake of destruction. Five died in the mayhem, including a Capitol Police officer who was attacked by the mob, and dozens more were injured.
“People thought that what I said was totally appropriate,” Trump said Tuesday, after being asked whether he would take any personal responsibility for the violence. “I want no violence,” he added. “It’s been analyzed and people thought what I said was totally appropriate.”
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