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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Graeme Massie

Trump releases video condemning Capitol riot violence after being impeached again

Photograph: The White House

Donald Trump has said he ‘unequivocally condemns’ the Capitol riot violence in a video released after his second impeachment.

The White House video came shortly after Mr Trump made history as the first president to be impeached twice by lawmakers.

 “I want to be very clear. I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week,” said the outgoing president.

"Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and our movement." 

Five people, including a US Capitol Police officer were killed when Mr Trump’s supporters marched from his rally to the Capitol, before violently storming it.

"Making America Great Again has always been about defending the rule of law, supporting the men and women of law enforcement and upholding our nation’s most sacred traditions and values.

"Mob violence goes against everything I believe in and everything our movement stands for.

"No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence, no true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement or our great American flag.

"No true supporter of mine could ever threaten or harass their fellow Americans, if you do any of these things you are not supporting our movement, you are attacking it and you are attacking our country.

“We cannot tolerate it.”

Mr Trump then said that the past year had seen political violence “spiral out of control."

“It must stop. Whether you are on the right or on the left, a Democrat or Republican, there is never a justification for violence, no excuses, no exceptions,” he added.

“America is a nation of laws. Those who engaged in the attacks last week will be brought to justice.”

MrTrump then asked his supporters to “be thinking of ways to ease tensions, calm tempers and help to promote peace in our country.”

He then told his supporters that there “must be no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind” in the coming inauguration week.

Mr Trump then said that thousands of National Guard Troops had been brought into Washington DC to “ensure that a transition can occur safely and without incident.”

He then said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the calamity at the Capitol last week” and said the country “will get through this challenge like we always do.”

Mr Trump then criticised “wrong and dangerous” attempts to silence free speech, after social media companies kicked him and many supporters from their platforms.

“Today I am calling on all Americans to overcome the passions of the moment, and join together as one American people, let us chose to move forward united, for the good of our families, our communities and our country," he concluded.

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