Trump tweeted (Friday, 8.1.21) “Congress has approved the results. A new administration will be sworn in on January 20. My attention is now focused on ensuring a smooth, orderly and unobstructed transfer of the administration. Time calls for healing and reconciliation. 2020 has been a challenging year.” He also posted a video, in which he read from the reporter a message prepared in advance, saying: “The opportunity to serve as your president was the greatest honor of my life.” He also clearly condemned the riots in Congress, something he refrained from doing in real time and for a full day after the events.
Trump claimed that he immediately activated the National Guard to “expel the invaders,” although in practice he opposed his operation and it was his deputy, Mike Pence, who gave the order. “The demonstrators who invaded the Capitol defiled the seat of American democracy. You do not represent our country, and whoever broke the law will pay,” he added. “Now we have to calm the spirits and restore calm. We must continue to run US affairs.” A day earlier, in the midst of the riots, Trump called on his supporters to disperse quietly, saying he understood their hearts and added, “I love you.”
Education Minister Betsy de Wes also resigned following the events and joined Transportation Minister Eileen Cho (wife of Senator Mitch McConnell) who resigned last night. The two have served in Trump’s cabinet since its inception. “We were supposed to celebrate the many achievements of your government. Instead, we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protesters who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to undermine public affairs. There is no doubt about the effect of loot rhetoric on the situation, and that is the breaking point for me,” – Wes to Trump. “Influential children are watching all this and they are learning from us. They must know from us that the United States is bigger than what was revealed to them yesterday.” De Wes previously tweeted: “The orderly transfer of power is what distinguishes American representative democracy from banana republics.”
Vice President Mike Pence opposes calls to run the 25th Amendment, a man close to him told the New York Times. Some cabinet ministers support his position, arguing that it will only add to the chaos in Washington instead of restoring order. The amendment allows the vice president, with the support of a majority of cabinet members, to inform Congress that the president is unable to fulfill his role – and he immediately becomes acting president. If the President submits a counter-notification to Congress, the Vice-President and a majority of the Ministers must ratify their announcement and the Congress decides by a simple majority of its members within 48 hours.
A handful of Republican lawmakers have called for the amendment to run, alongside a larger group of Democratic lawmakers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are at the forefront of calling for Trump to be ousted in practice. They also threatened to open proceedings to oust him if the demand is not met – a meaningless threat given the short time left to end his term. John Kelly, who was secretary of state and then chief of staff at the Trump administration’s White House, said tonight that if he had been a member of the cabinet, he would have supported running the 25th amendment. This will not be implemented in practice, although he has called on the Cabinet to convene and discuss the events and their implications.
The Justice Department made it clear tonight that it does not rule out the possibility that Trump will be questioned on suspicion of incitement that led to the assault. “We are looking at everyone involved, not just the people who entered the building,” prosecutor Michael Sherwin said. He was asked if he also meant Trump, who in his speech to thousands of his supporters called on them to march to the Capitol, act firmly and “rescue our country from its weakness.” He responded by referring to his previous remarks: “We are examining all those involved. If the evidence is appropriate to the elements of the offense, indictments will be filed against them.” The federal prosecution announced tonight the filing of the first two indictments against rioters. Washington City Police said they had arrested 70 people on suspicion of possession of a weapon, trespassing and assault, while Capitol police arrested 14 people.
Earlier, the New York Times reported that since the election, Trump has raised the possibility of pardoning himself on several occasions. The question of the president’s authority to do so is controversial among jurists and has never been raised in a practical way. Another question is whether a presidential pardon can also apply to investigations that have not yet been opened. In any case, the president can only pardon for federal offenses and not for offenses against state and city laws. New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance is conducting a criminal investigation against Trump on suspicion of violating election financing laws; State Attorney Latisha James is conducting a civil investigation on suspicion of tax offenses.
The three senior security personnel of the Capitol rioted following the harsh criticism of the failures in dealing with the rioters – the very fact that they managed to penetrate the heart of the building (the meeting halls and Pelosi’s office) and the many hours required to get them out. Senate and House of Representatives security officers Michael Stanger and Paul Irving have submitted their resignations to Senator Mitch McConnell and Pelosi, and Capitol Police Chief Stephen Sand has announced he will step down on the eve of Biden’s inauguration. Brian Sicknik, a Capitol police officer, died of his wounds after being injured in the riots.