President Donald Trump taps a cell phone screen around the time a tweet was posted from his Twitter account during a small business reopening panel discussion in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, United States, on June 18, 2020 .
Leah Millis | Reuters
President Donald Trump shared his first message on Twitter since he was banned from his account following Wednesday’s U.S. Capitol riot.
Trump shared a video message that was as close to a concession speech as the public has heard from him. He admitted that a new government would soon take over and urged calm. Trump said he had “taken every legal channel to challenge the election results” to ensure the integrity of the election. While saying he believes electoral laws need reform, he acknowledged that Congress had confirmed the results and that there would be a change of power.
“Now we have to cool the mind and restore calm. We have to get on with business in America,” said Trump. “A new government will be inaugurated on January 20th. My focus now is on ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transfer of power. This moment requires healing and reconciliation.”
Trump also condemned the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as lawmakers finalized the tally for Joe Biden’s win in the presidential election.
“For those who have committed violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And for those who have broken the law, you will pay,” says Trump in the video.
Trump’s message came after many lawmakers accused him of urging supporters to protest the election results and “stop the theft” despite controversial evidence and his fraud allegations shot down in courts across the country. Trump supporters wearing flags and shirts with his name broke into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and in the chaos, one person was shot and killed by the Capitol Police.
On Thursday, many lawmakers and former Trump employees and agents called for Trump to be impeached after the uprising. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Chairman, DN.Y., and Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, D-Calif.
Twitter said it banned Trump from his account for posting tweets that violated its guidelines. Trump used to ask his followers not to use force, but he later posted a video message also reiterating his unsubstantiated claims that the election had been stolen and telling the rioters “We love you”.
Twitter said that on Wednesday, Trump would not be able to post until 12 hours after removing the hurtful tweets from his account.
This story evolves. Check for updates again.
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