Former Trump administration officials have reportedly informed special counsel Jack Smith’s office that former President Donald Trump expressed no interest in taking action to stop the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack
ABC News disclosed that Dan Scavino, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff, described Trump as "very angry" on that day, not over the riot, but because he falsely believed the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Scavino relayed to Smith's investigators that Trump was "just not interested" in doing more to stop the riot.
Trump also ignored advice from Scavino and other officials to post a statement urging calm, instead sharing a post on social media criticizing then-Vice President Mike Pence for lacking the courage to overturn the election results.
Former Trump aide Nick Luna also shared with Smith's team a moment when Trump seemed indifferent to Pence's safety, responding with a dismissive 'So what?' upon hearing Pence needed to be taken to a secure location.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in an interview with ABC's "This Week," noted the significance of this information coming from Republican aides, not Democrats, highlighting a pattern of revelations about the Jan. 6 events emerging from within the Republican camp.
FAQ on the Capitol Attack
How many people were charged in connection with the Capitol attack? As of now, over 800 individuals have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol attack. These charges range from entering restricted federal property to assaulting law enforcement officers.
What were the consequences of the Capitol attack? The immediate consequence was the disruption of the certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Long-term consequences include ongoing criminal investigations, increased security measures at the Capitol, and widespread political and social ramifications, including the formation of a House Select Committee to investigate the events of the day.
What happened during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021? On January 6, 2021, a large group of protesters, many of whom were supporters of former President Donald Trump, breached the U.S. Capitol building while Congress was in session to certify the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election. The breach led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol, and it interrupted the certification process for several hours.
