We all knew that Donald Trump cheered on the January 6th insurrection, both in words and in tweets. And since the insurrection he has even promised pardons for all convicted criminals. Special Counsel Jack Smith continues to probe Trump's criminal exposure for his attempts to overturn the election and newly released details provide even more horrific insights into his thoughts and actions - many of which were unknown.
ABC News is reporting that Jack Smith's team has 'uncovered previously undisclosed details" and Trump's refusal to do anything to quell the horrific violence unfolding at the U.S. Capitol, including reports of him sitting at a dining table and watching tv...happily.
Details appear to come from interviews with Trump's former deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino and others. Trump will be unhappy to hear this, as Scavino actually STILL WORKS FOR TRUMP as a senior advisor to his 2024 reelection campaign. Whoopsie.
Scavino allegedly told investigators that as the violence erupted, Trump "was just not interested" in doing anything to stop it. Former Trump aide, Nick Luna, also told investigators that when told about Pence being rushed to a secure location, Trump said "so what?" which surprised Luna. Why these two people would be shocked about Trump's lack of interest at stopping the violence he unleashed is shocking to me. They knew who they worked for - a sociopath.
It was previously reported by the January 6th Committee that Trump was seated in the dining room, watching the violence unfold on Fox News. Scavino and other staffers rushed into the dining room to beg Trump to "help calm the situation." But, he did nothing. He just watched the chaos and violence unleash on tv, his own personal horror story. Scavino allegedly told investigators that Trump was "very angry" - not at what his supporters were doing. No, he was angry that the election was "stolen". Scavino said it was all "very unsettling." As described to investigators, Trump sat with his typical pouting angry posture - "arms folded and eyes locked on the tv."
Scavino told investigators that he tried for 20 minutes to "persuade Trump to release some sort of calming statement." Instead of doing that, Trump posted a video message on Twitter intended to incite saying that Pence "didn't have the courage to do what should have been done" unleashing even more violent threats against Pence.
Aides were shocked, as were the rest of the world.
Scavino is the only person who had access to Trump's twitter account besides Trump. When the post attacking Pence went up, White House attorneys raced to find him to see if he was the one that posted it. Scavino told them he did not post it, Trump did.
As news broke about Pence being in increasing danger, Trump did not seem to care. Luna told investigators that Trump showed that he was "capable of allowing harm to come to one of his closest allies". Horrific. Just horrific.
Ivanka tried to get her father to put out a public statement as well. He continued to refuse.
The violence continued. Police were brutally attacked. Ashli Babbitt was shot.
Trump continued to watch the violence unfold on TV.
Former Republican Congressman and short term Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, frantically called Trump and was told "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are."
Trump continued to watch Fox News.
Trump finally put a video out at 4:15pm, about 3 hours after the violence started. He said "This was a fraudulent election, but we have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You're very special."
Scavino, when asked by investigators, told them that he did not see any evidence of fraud that would have shown that Trump actually won the 2020 election. Other aides have said the same.
Allegedly Trump drafted a crazy message and showed it to Luna: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots. ... Remember this day for forever!" it read. Reportedly, Luna told Trump that the statement made him sound "culpable" for the violence.
He posted it anyhow. Trump's Twitter account was suspended an hour later.
Elon unsuspended his account in mid-2023, but Trump has yet to post on it.
