Trump Crossed Out Speech Lines Condemning Rioters

CNN reports:

Former President Donald Trump was reluctant to give a speech on January 7, 2021, that strongly condemned the violence at the US Capitol the day before and crossed out key lines in a draft, according to a new video released by the House January 6 committee that includes interview footage and the draft document.

Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria of Virginia released the new video Monday on Twitter. The video includes clips of interviews with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and others stating that they believed Trump needed to make a statement on January 7.

Lines that were crossed out read: “I am directing the Department of Justice to ensure all lawbreakers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We must send a clear message not with mercy but with JUSTICE. Legal consequences must be swift and firm.” The other line crossed out referred to the rioters who stormed the Capitol: “I want it to be very clear you do not represent me.”

Read the full article. Watch the clip.

It took more than 24 hours for President Trump to address the nation again after his Rose Garden video on January 6th in which he affectionately told his followers to go home in peace.

There were more things he was unwilling to say. pic.twitter.com/cJBIX5ROxs

— Rep. Elaine Luria (@RepElaineLuria) July 25, 2022