U.S President Donald Trump has pleaded with his supporters not to be violent as he approaches the end to his four-year term.
After hours of House debate during which Democrats accused him of “incitement of insurrection,” the White House put out a statement from the President, saying “there must be NO violence.”
“In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for. I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You,” the statement said.
With just one week left in office, the White House has not said if the president will be watching the impeachment debate and vote as he did in 2020 and it was unclear if he will be heard from at all.
Isolated and under a social media lockout with his Twitter account permanently suspended, Trump has few options to distract or defend himself against the ongoing impeachment.
When, on Tuesday, he broke his public silence since the Capitol attack, speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn, he framed himself as a victim and lashed out at the Democrats’ impeachment effort.
“On the impeachment, it’s really a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics,” Trump said. “It’s ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“This impeachment is causing tremendous anger, and you’re doing it, and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing.”
The end is in sight for Trump as his former allies are turning against him following his response to the insurrection at the Capitol.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, once one of the president’s staunchest defenders, has signalled that he is ready to purge Trump from the Republican party.
Other high-ranking Republican lawmakers have turned away from the president.
