According to an ABC News report, on January 6, 2021, as rioters breached the Capitol, a top aide of then-President Donald Trump composed Trump’s initial tweet urging protesters to remain peaceful. This occurred while Trump observed the events on television.
An investigation by a congressional panel into Trump’s role during the January 6 events highlighted that initially, Trump hesitated to call in additional law enforcement to halt the rioters. Instead, he spent considerable time watching television and conversing with his attorney and Republican allies.
Newly revealed details shed light on the internal White House situation at that time, indicating that Trump relied on Dan Scavino, then deputy chief of staff and presently senior advisor to Trump’s reelection campaign, to attempt to pacify the protesters.
Scavino was among numerous witnesses interviewed by special counsel Jack Smith’s team as part of the Justice Department’s inquiry into Trump’s actions on January 6. The information reported by ABC News is based on insights gathered from Scavino’s testimony.
As the Capitol breach unfolded, a select group, including Scavino, tried to convince Trump to issue a firm message to the protesters, sources told ABC News.
However, after approximately 20 minutes of persuasion, Scavino and others departed, leaving Trump alone in the White House dining room. Subsequently, Trump posted a tweet criticizing Vice President Mike Pence for lacking “the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country,” surprising several aides, including Scavino, who was the only other person with access to Trump’s Twitter account.
According to sources, Trump’s aides and White House counsel Pat Cipollone made further attempts to persuade Trump to send a robust message to the protesters.
Scavino reportedly suggested several tweets to Trump and eventually, around 2:38 p.m. local time, a tweet was posted on Trump’s account urging support for Capitol Police and law enforcement, stating, “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
This post marked the first tweet from Trump urging his supporters to maintain peace, according to a timeline of Trump’s tweets on the day of the riots.
A spokesperson for Trump, in response to media reports, dismissed the focus on second-hand information, portraying it as indicative of the weakness of the case against Trump. The spokesperson emphasized Scavino’s unwavering loyalty to Trump and highlighted the strength of Trump’s position in the matter based on Scavino’s actual testimony.
Sources cited Scavino recounting to federal investigators that Trump was still hesitant about issuing further tweets on Twitter, stating that Trump listened but appeared disinterested in releasing any additional statements at that moment.