Trump: January 6 Will Be 'Day of Love'

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, former President Donald Trump is doubling down on efforts to reshape the narrative surrounding the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. During a Univision town hall on Wednesday, Trump described the day as "a day of love," despite its widely condemned violence. His comments came as he tried to distance himself from responsibility for the insurrection.

Trump Pressed on January 6 Actions

A Republican audience member, expressing concerns over Trump’s behavior on Jan. 6, asked the former president why several of his former administration officials had distanced themselves, with some calling him a threat to democracy. "I want to give you an opportunity to win back my vote," the voter said, highlighting that Trump’s actions and inaction during the riot were disturbing.

Trump defended his conduct and rejected criticism, insisting that he did nothing wrong. He repeated several debunked claims, including one asserting that his supporters did not storm the Capitol because of him. “They didn’t come because of me,” Trump said, even though he had invited his followers to a “big protest” on January 6, 2021, in a now-infamous tweet that promised it would be “wild.”

Disputes with Pence

Trump also reiterated his disagreement with former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to certify the 2020 election results. Pence has made clear that his actions were in line with the Constitution, while Trump continues to argue that Pence could have overturned the election in his favor. Pence has refused to endorse Trump in the 2024 race, signaling a major rift between the two.

Downplaying Violence

In his efforts to minimize the violence, Trump falsely claimed, "Ashli Babbitt was killed. Nobody was killed. There were no guns down there," referring to Babbitt, a rioter fatally shot by Capitol Police while trying to breach the House floor. Several others, including police officers, died in connection with the riot, some by suicide. Additionally, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes after being pepper-sprayed by rioters, with his medical examiner stating that his experience contributed to his death.

The Justice Department has documented that various weapons, including firearms, knives, and makeshift weapons, were used by rioters. Around 1,500 people have been federally charged, with over 900 pleading guilty, including those who admitted to assaulting law enforcement officers.

Election Denialism Continues

Despite widespread evidence that the 2020 election was legitimate, Trump, along with allies like Ohio Senator JD Vance, continues to deny the outcome. At the town hall, Vance stated that he would not have certified the election results had he been in Pence’s position. This ongoing rhetoric has raised concerns among Democrats, with Vice President Kamala Harris calling Trump’s behavior a threat to democracy as the 2024 campaign moves forward.

Trump’s remarks are likely to keep the January 6 events in the spotlight as Election Day approaches. His continued efforts to downplay the violence and push election denialism remain focal points of both his campaign and ongoing legal challenges.