Trump accepts defeat, sort of
President Donald Trump has grudgingly stepped back on some of his most inflammatory claims appearing to concede defeat on Thursday, the day after a mob – incited by his claims the election was stolen – stormed Capitol Hill to try and prevent the certification of Joe Biden’s victory.
In a pre-recorded statement released on Twitter Trump, in a flat monotone, crucially acknowledged that Biden had been certified the victor saying “Congress has certified the results. A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation.”
He also condemned the mob action saying, “Like all Americans I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem.” He further declared “to those who broke the law: you will pay.”
The statement was the first piece of communication Trump had been able to release on Twitter since his account was frozen on Wednesday. Trump’s ability to communicate has been hampered by this as well as his – apparently permanent – ban from Facebook and Instagram.
Many, however, are not satisfied. Leading Democrats including House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have called on Trump’s cabinet to remove him from office via the 25th Amendment. If this does not happen they have threatened to attempt a second impeachment, the articles of which are already being drafted.
A few Republicans – including Representative Steve Stivers, Representative Adam Kinzinger, Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan, and Governor of Vermont Phil Scott – have also made calls for Trump to resign or be removed. The Wall Street Journal, a bastion of establishment conservatism, has also issued an editorial calling on Trump to resign.
However, the likelihood of these calls resulting in anything concrete is unclear. The 25th Amendment seems unlikely to be used, or to succeed, given the presence of Trump loyalists in Cabinet and the likely necessity of a two thirds vote should Trump object. Impeachment probably would not be able to proceed fast enough to make a meaningful difference. Trump resigning also seems out of the question given his pugnacious nature and obsession with victory.
Behind the scenes Trump is said to still be far from reconciled to his loss. Anonymous sources speaking to the US press flatly declared that he had become “a total monster” and was trapped in a bunker mentality.
Trump is apparently particularly angry with Vice-President Mike Pence who he sees as having betrayed him in following procedure in certifying Biden’s victory. Other betrayals, at least in Trump’s mind, have also arrived in the form of resignations of former allies. Two of the most prominent figures to abandon ship have been Secretary for Education Betsy deVos, Secretary for Transportation (and wife of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell) Elaine Chao, and Mick Mulvaney a former cabinet member turned special envoy to Northern Ireland.
Some prominent Senate Republicans, however, are said to be urging officials to stay in their posts to do their best to try and keep order in the final weeks of the transition. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has also echoed these calls. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has indeed vowed to stay on in order to ensure an orderly transition, despite condemning Wednesday’s riot as “tragic and sickening”.
Despite struggling to accept his loss Trump is also considering the unprecedented move of pardoning himself to prevent his facing any legal consequences for his conduct. Notably, the Acting U.S. attorney in DC Michael R. Sherwin appeared to confirm Trump could face investigation for his role in inciting yesterday’s riot. His call last weekend in which he pressured the Georgia Secretary of State to try and fabricate votes is also thought to potentially open him to charges.
Still, any attempt to evade charges on via self-pardon would immediately be contested in the courts. It would also only shield Trump from federal charges leaving open the possibility of state charges, such as those that might issue from New York’s investigation of his taxes.
Trump’s supporters who stormed the Capitol yesterday – an event which left four protestors and one policeman dead – are also facing the consequences of their actions. So far 80 have been arrested by DC Metropolitan Police and 14 by Capitol police. The face a variety of charges relating to breach of curfew, unlawful carrying of weapons, assault of police officers, and unlawful entry. Some, including top Democrats, have suggested charges of domestic terrorism might be brought.
Investigations are also being held into the two pipe bombs – one at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters and one the Republican National Committee Headquarters -and a possible car bomb. More arrests are expected with a list of suspects wanted by the police released. Informal social sanctions also appear to be taking place with some protestors identified online having lost their jobs.
Yet many are still sticking with Trump, including prominent Republican legislators. Some are promoting the baseless conspiracy theory that radical left antifa groups were in fact responsible for yesterday’s riot. In the House of Representatives a brawl nearly broke out between Democrats and Republicans when Democrat Conor Lamb offered a stinging condemnation of Republican legislators still refusing to certify Biden’s election victory.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, America experience its deadliest day of the pandemic so far with another 4,000 deaths, surpassing its previous record of 3,915 the day before.