OPINION
Watch: Trump Tries to Gin Up MAGAites by Saying Impeachment Is Causing ‘Anger’ and ‘Tremendous Danger to This Country’
He may have lost most of his social media access but President Donald Trump Tuesday morning was still able to reach his supporters to gin up the MAGA troops.
In his first live, presumably unscripted public remarks President Donald Trump appeared to telegraph to his supporters to continue the violence MAGA devotees demonstrated when they took over the U.S. Capitol in an armed and deadly insurrection last week, even while claiming, “we want no violence.”
Speaking to reporters on his way to Alamo, Texas to tour his border wall in one of his final acts as president, Trump refused to take any responsibility for inciting the insurrection that led to six deaths, while insisting he still has “tremendous support” from his followers. Many of those who attacked the Capitol expressed anger at Trump after he recorded a video denouncing the violence, a video he reportedly was forced to record by his top aides and later said he regretted recording.
“So if you read my speech and many people have done it and I’ve seen it both in the papers and in the media, on television, and it’s been analyzed and people thought it was totally appropriate,” Trump told reporters, referring to the speech he gave inciting the insurrection.
He then tried to compare last Wednesday’s seditious coup attempt that he caused to the Black Lives Matter protests, caused by police killings of unarmed Black people across the country.
MSNBC opted to cut away.
Disgraced President Trump claims his speech was analyzed and people thought it was totally appropriate and MSNBC cuts away pic.twitter.com/sg5yIxWWBc
— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) January 12, 2021
He called the impeachment, which will be voted on and will likely pass by a strong margin this week, “a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics.”
“This impeachment is causing tremendous anger, and you’re doing it,” he said – targeting reporters, who are not “doing it” – “and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing.”
“For Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to continue on this path, I think it’s causing tremendous danger to our county and it’s causing tremendous anger. I want no violence.”
Trump on impeachment: “For Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to continue on this path, I think it’s causing tremendous danger to our county and it’s causing tremendous anger. I want no violence.” pic.twitter.com/YfHnaogOql
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 12, 2021
UPDATE:
Evan McMullin, a former CIA ops officer, GOP policy director, and independent presidential candidate agrees:
Trump's threats of more violence by warning of "tremendous anger" and "tremendous danger" in response to potential impeachment, a vital mechanism of our democracy, is further evidence of its justice and necessity.
— Evan McMullin 🇺🇸 (@EvanMcMullin) January 12, 2021
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.