After the House voted 232 to 197 to impeach him – backed by 10 Republicans – Trump released a video statement that did not mention the historic development that took place a few hours earlier.
Instead, he delivered a call for calm as the threat of new unrest – which Trump said the Secret Service provided him with information – is throwing a loss over Washington. That message happened Monday and he participated in the President’s decision to record the video, an official told CNN.
“A true supporter of mine could never support political violence. A true supporter of mine could never disregard law enforcement or our great American flag,” he said from behind. the Red Desk in the Oval Office.
“Now I urge everyone who has ever believed in our agenda to think of ways to reduce tensions, calm tempers and help promote peace in our country, “he said.
At the end of the spot, which was filmed by the White House and not independent television cameras, Trump dismissed what he called the “unprecedented attack on free speech we saw a few days ago. “
“Attempts to censor, dismiss and blacklist our fellow citizens are wrong and dangerous,” he said. “All we need now is to listen to each other, not to confuse each other. “
Aides had expected Trump to see most of the events on television throughout the day. His same event awarded the National Medal of Arts behind closed doors to Toby Keith, country star “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”, and bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs.
Trump issued a statement through the White House this afternoon stating that “there must be no violence, NO violations and NO damages of any kind.”
But without Twitter, a campaign rally, a team of lawyers or a Republican willing to defend what he did, Trump spent the historic horror in a controlled fashion.
That’s a distant cry from the first time it was introduced, when supporters organized a campaign rally in the aptly named Battle Creek, Michigan, to coincide with the House vote.
At the rally, which took place at the same time as members attacked, his press secretary appeared among the crowd to hold up a placard showing the total amount of his vote.
“We got every Republican (to vote) for us!” Trump cried when he last saw the stage, adding at another point: “It doesn’t feel like we’re at all confused.”
While other Republicans opposed impeachment because they claimed it was “separatist,” most Trump did not defend on merit what it wanted: inciting terrorism.
Social media blackout
Trump’s institutions for responding to the impeachment were similarly limited. Supporters would normally look to Twitter for the President’s first response that he is the only president in history to have been introduced twice. So, too, would Republican members of Congress fear what might appear on Trump ‘s diet if they decided to break with him and vote for his impeachment.
But Trump’s account was permanently postponed – and with the main weapon to ensure GOP loyalty.
While Trump has been fighting off his resignation, telling reporters this week that free speech was under attack, CNN has learned of a new effort by one of its top advisers. to keep him from appearing on fringe platforms instead of the big ones banned from him. .
Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner intervened when other officials tried to revive the President’s social media presence on sites that are often places for terminators, such as Gab, after a unique ban from several platforms.
These officials had initially tried to use other Twitter accounts, including those run by campaign officials, to tweet in Trump’s name.
Without Twitter, Trump has turned to more traditional means of communication. On Wednesday, as more Republicans came forward saying they would vote to impeach Trump, the President issued a statement through his press office calling for no violence “amid reports of more demonstrations . ”
“That’s not what I stand for, and that’s not what America stands for. I call on ALL Americans to help with calmness and calm tempers. Thank you,” Trump wrote in the 270 character statement, which would have been pretty neat into a tweet.
Lawyers and senior supporters had been urging Trump to issue a statement saying so much while kicking for more members of his own party to vote against him. .
The White House said in a statement this week that it opposes impeachment, and Trump protested against the proceedings Tuesday.
“It is causing terrible anger and division and pain far greater than most people will ever realize, which is dangerous for the U.S., especially at this very tender time,” he said. he visited Texas. Read the White House statement, from deputy news secretary Judd Deere: “Political impeachment against a President with 12 days left in his term will only further divide our great country.”
More remote than ever
Trump’s second impeachment comes at a time when he has become more isolated than ever. Several of his cabinet secretaries – those who have not resigned as a complainant – are avoiding him, his relationship with the vice-president is still broken and several of his key staff are planning to resign. this week.
That included longtime advisor Hope Hicks, his last day Tuesday.
Several supporters told CNN that they do not intend to postpone the delay due to the President’s impeachment.
At the White House, Trump’s defense is virtually invisible. The atmosphere inside the building is dark and “everyone is angry with everyone,” one White House councilor told CNN. The President is “in a state of self-pity” because he believes not enough people are defending him, a White House adviser said, adding that Trump complains that he has been under siege for five years and that he sees his latest impeachment as a continuation of that criticism.
But the view among many close to Trump is “that what he did here caused no one else,” the councilor said, adding, “He sent a mob to prosecute on Capitol building to stop deception, he’s not going to find a lot of sympathetic Republicans. “
Two sources told CNN Trump that he is bringing Alan Dershowitz back after spending time defending Trump during the initial impeachment proceedings. Trump has told people that Dershowitz’s defense saved him on the Senate floor during his last trial. Rudy Giuliani is also expected to be involved, although a concrete legal strategy was not put together on Wednesday morning, even though Trump was slated to be deposed within hours.
Several celebrities since Trump’s last impeachment – Jay Sekulow and Kenneth Starr among them – have refused to intervene. White House councilor Pat Cipollone is also not expected to take office, and considered resigning after last week’s uprising. Trump has been ousting Cipollone for months now.
Trump has considered forgiving himself and his children with a new crisis since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN. One person close to the President thinks that it is a bad idea to forgive himself and his children after the riots, but that he wants to use the power. which he has left “to the extent of Nth.”
However, Trump hopes a batch of amnesty, which could come as early as Thursday, will pull away from his historic impeachment and fall from the revolution, a White House adviser said.
While some supporters have been working to organize events this week burning the remnants of Trump’s legacy – such as Middle East diplomacy and deregulation – he did not show it. much interest.
His comments on building border walls in Texas lasted only 20 minutes on Tuesday and were echoed by his comments blaming “anger” on the high-rise and preventing him from high- social media platforms.
The only other event on his schedule this week – Thursday’s Freedom Medal ceremony honoring New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick – is off after Belichick said he would not attend.
CNN’s Pamela Brown and Jamie Gangel contributed to this report.