MSNBC host Ari Melber confronted former Trump administration official Peter Navarro after he stated that he solely noticed "peaceable individuals" close to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Tons of of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on January 6 in an obvious effort to disrupt the formal certification of President Joe Biden's Electoral School victory. Their assault got here after months of Trump and his allies spreading lies concerning the 2020 election outcomes, and instantly following the then president urging his supporters to stroll to the legislative constructing and "struggle like hell."
Melber requested Navarro, Trump's former director of the Workplace of Commerce and Manufacturing Coverage, concerning the violence throughout a Friday interview. Navarro was a key determine selling misinformation concerning the 2020 election outcomes. Though Navarro agreed that the assault on the Capitol was fallacious, he defended his and different Trump allies' efforts to overturn the election outcomes by means of peaceable means.
"Every little thing I did was clearly between the strains," Navarro stated. He asserted that each one his actions have been lawful.
The MSNBC host went on to play video and audio of Trump telling supporters on January 6 to "struggle like hell." He additionally performed audio of Trump telling Fox Information in an interview that his supporters on January 6 "have been peaceable individuals. These have been nice individuals."
The previous president "falsely says they have been peaceable. Do you acknowledge they weren't?" Melber requested Navarro.
"I ran the [National] Mall that day," the Trump ally responded. He stated he "noticed nothing however peaceable individuals strolling alongside as much as that Capitol. I didn't personally observe storming the gates there."
"However you have seen the tape. You realize what occurred. You realize Donald Trump lied about it," Melber interjected.
Navarro then started to deflect, questioning why the U.S. Capitol Police weren't higher ready and why the Nationwide Guard had not arrived faster. Melber responded by declaring that "the Capitol Police have been being overwhelmed and attacked by Trump followers." He added: "I believe you realize that."
"We solely wished peace that day," Navarro insisted, holding up his arms dramatically. "That is my backside line."
Trump and plenty of of his allies have repeatedly downplayed the occasions of January 6, suggesting the occasions surrounding the Capitol assault have been extra like a peaceable protest. They've additionally criticized the remedy of the a whole bunch of individuals arrested within the wake of the assault.
Earlier this month, 11 members of the far-right Oath Keepers group have been charged with seditious conspiracy and different costs for crimes associated to the January 6 assault. The group allegedly had stockpiled weapons and gear to arrange for violence in timing with Trump's efforts to overturn the election outcomes.
In the meantime, Trump and his allies proceed to assert that the 2020 election was "rigged" or "stolen" in favor of Biden. No proof has emerged substantiating the allegation. On the contrary, audits and recounts in states throughout the nation—together with in areas the place the election was overseen by pro-Trump Republicans—have constantly reaffirmed Biden's win.
Greater than 60 election problem lawsuits filed by Trump and his supporters failed in state and federal courts. Even judges appointed by Trump and fellow Republicans have constantly dominated in opposition to the authorized challenges. A number of former Trump administration officers have asserted publicly that there's "no proof" to help claims of widespread fraud within the 2020 election.
Post a Comment