Donald Trump hesitated and initially refused to tweet the words “stay peaceful” when his supporters breached the US Capitol and attacked law enforcement on 6 January last year, according to a former aide.
The aide, speaking anonymously to CNN, said that the former president was “very reluctant to put out anything when [the Capitol riot] was unfolding.”
On Thursday, President Joe Biden delivered forceful remarks recognising the anniversary of the attack – a searing address in which he condemned the former president for watching TV as his supporters breached the halls of Congress.
Mr Trump responded with a series of statements continuing to air his grievances and amplifying lies about the 2020 election while calling for the “MAGA nation” to “rise up” against the Biden administration over Covid-19 vaccine requirements.
Several Washington DC-area police officers filed lawsuits against the former president this week, alleging his rhetoric and baseless “stolen election” narrative fueled attacks that left them with lasting physical and emotional trauma.
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