Two former Trump aides, Dan Scavino and Nick Luna, allegedly told federal prosecutors that former President Donald Trump refused to stop the riot on Jan 6. According to information discovered by special counsel Jack Smith’s team and reported by ABC News, other aides have supported this story.
No interest
As the events of Jan 6 turned violent, Scavino allegedly told Smith’s team that Trump was “just not interested” in helping stop it. Scavino described the situation as “very unsettling.”
Silent watcher
“At times,” ABC News reported, “Trump just sat silently at the head of the table, with his arms folded and his eyes locked on the TV, Scavino recounted, sources said.”
Real anger
That’s not to say Trump was calm — he was “very angry,” Scavino allegedly said. However, that was because he believed the election had been stolen, not because a mob of MAGA supporters was storming the Capitol.
Inflammatory message
After giving up on convincing Trump to attempt to calm the mob and leaving him alone, Scavino and others were allegedly shocked to see the former president tweet that Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done.”
Little care
When Scavino allegedly tried to explain to Trump that such attacks on Pence were “not what we need,” Trump is said to have replied, “But it’s true.” Another Trump aide, Nick Luna, allegedly told Smith’s team that Trump “didn’t seem to care that Pence had to be moved to a secure location,” per ABC News.
Who needs friends?
The mob was heard chanting, “Hang Mike Pence!” while rampaging through the Capitol. According to the New York Times, Trump defended these shouts as “common sense,” explaining to the author Jon Karl that “the people were very angry.”
No remorse
Trump has continued criticizing Pence’s refusal to support the attempt to overturn the 2020 election. In a 2022 statement reported by ABC News, Trump falsely claimed that “Mike Pence did have the right to change the outcome,” but “unfortunately, he didn’t exercise that power — he could have overturned the Election!”
Close betrayal
According to ABC News, Luna told Smith’s team that Trump had shown that he was “capable of allowing harm to come to one of his closest allies.”
Little care
Former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has confirmed that Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy called Trump to try and convince him to stop the violence. In response, according to Meadows, Trump said, “Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.”
Deadly actions
“During this time, law enforcement agents were attacked and seriously injured,” the House Jan 6 special committee said in its final report. “The Capitol was invaded, the electoral count was halted, and the lives of those in the Capitol were put at risk.”
Widespread harm
The Justice Department estimates that at least 140 officers were injured during the riot, though individual prosecutors have said the number is likely higher. In mid-2022, the government estimated that attackers caused more than $2.7 million in property damage.
Too little, too late
It took until 2:38 pm for aides and allies to finally convince Trump to agree to post a message asking supporters to “stay peaceful.” Minutes later, Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot after ignoring multiple commands from officers and continuing to try and force her way through a blocked entrance in the Capitol.
Not coming from Democrats
“What’s interesting about it all,” said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday, is that all the evidence is now “all coming from Republicans.”
Committed ally
Scavino first worked for Trump 30 years ago. According to ABC News, he is now a paid senior advisor to Trump’s reelection campaign.
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