President Trump defended his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, blaming former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the lack of National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol that day.
“I offered 10,000 National Guard troops and they turned it down,” Mr. Trump said in response to a question about the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
The former president pointed to Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, who in video footage released by House Republicans blamed herself for the fact that the National Guard was not mobilized that day.
Mr. Trump quickly pivoted from talking about the attack on the Capitol, when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building to prevent Congress from certifying President Biden’s 2020 election win.
Mr. Trump said America was “respected all over the world” on the morning of Jan. 6.
“On Jan. 6 we had a great border. On Jan. 6 we were energy independent. We had the lowest taxes ever and the lowest regulations ever. On Jan. 6 we were respected all over the world and then he comes in and we are laughed at. We are like a bunch of stupid people. What happened to the United States under this man’s leadership is horrible,” Mr. Trump said.
He also accused the Biden administration of prosecuting “innocent” people over their actions that day.
“What you’ve done to so many people who are so innocent. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You destroyed the lives of so many people,” Mr. Trump said.
In response, Mr. Biden blamed the former president for inaction that day, accusing Mr. Trump of encouraging rioters.
“He sat there for three hours being begged by the vice president and a number of his colleagues on the Republican side as well to do something to call for a stop and end it,” Mr. Biden said. “Instead, he talked about these people being patriots and great patrons of America.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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