Following the destruction and chaos that erupted at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, President Donald Trump is officially waving his white flag and conceding to President-elect Joe Biden.
The president shared his concession speech in a video on Twitter Thursday afternoon after his account was locked for 12 hours. The social media platform said several of Trump’s tweets violated its Civic Integrity Policy.
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Trump admitted in the video that Congress had certified the election’s results and declared Joe Biden the winner, saying the “new administration will be inaugurated on January 20,” and his “focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2021
The president also spoke on the attack at the Capitol by his supporters. He said he too was “outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem.”
“I immediately deployed the National Guard and federal law enforcement to secure the building and expel the intruders. America is and must always be a nation of law and order,” Trump said in the video. “The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
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Going forward, Trump said “tempers must be cool and calm restored,” as lawmakers and U.S. citizens prepare for Biden’s upcoming inauguration and descent into the White House.
The president did not address his role in inciting the violence, but he did reassure his supporters that their “incredible journey” is “only just the beginning.”
“To all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know our incredible journey is only just beginning. Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.”
Congress confirmed Biden’s electoral win early Thursday. Both he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in to the White House in just a few weeks.
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