(Headline USA) President Donald Trump for the first time acknowledged he will not prevail in the Nov. 3 election and announced there would be an “orderly transition on January 20th,” after Congress concluded the electoral vote count early Thursday certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.
Trump’s acknowledgement came after a day of chaos and destruction on Capitol Hill as mobs — including many Antifa activists — stormed the Capitol building and unleashed unprecedented scenes of mayhem. Members of Congress were forced into hiding, offices were ransacked, and the formal congressional tally halted for more than six hours.
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said in a statement posted to Twitter by his social media director.
His own account had been locked by the company for posting messages that referred to the totally fraudulent election, which Twitter has censored incessantly.
Trump added, “While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!”
The statement was the first time Trump formally acknowledged his loss after spending the last two months refusing to concede.
Trump had encouraged his supporters to march toward the Capitol to protest lawmakers’ actions.
“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long,” Trump wrote in a message that was later deleted by Twitter. He added, “Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”
Trump has spent the final days of his presidency angrily stewing and lashing out at some Republicans for their disloyalty after they refused to fight what was clearly a stolen election.
Trump’s statement could not be posted on his Twitter or Facebook feeds because both accounts had been blocked from posting.
Trump eventually issued the tweets and taped a video encouraging an end to the violence.
“I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now,” he said in a video posted more than 90 minutes after lawmakers were evacuated from the House and Senate chambers. “We can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special.”
The violence, coupled with the president’s tepid response, alarmed many in the White House and appeared to push Republicans allies to the breaking point after years of allegiance to Trump. After four years with no shortage of fraught moments, Wednesday’s events quickly emerged as the nadir of morale in the Trump White House, as aides looked on in horror at the chaos.
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s chief of staff and a former White House press secretary, submitted her resignation Wednesday. Deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, White House social secretary Rickie Niceta and deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews also resigned, according to officials. More departures were expected in the coming days, officials said.
Other aides indicated they planned to stay to help smooth the transition to the Biden administration.
Trump’s begrudging statement acknowledging defeat came after even longtime allies floated whether members of his Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told ABC late Wednesday that “responsible members of the Cabinet” should be thinking about fulfilling their oath of office, adding that Trump had “violated his oath and betrayed the American people.”
Hours earlier, Trump had appeared at a massive rally near the White House, where he continued to urge supporters to fight the election results and encouraged them to march to the Capitol. At one point, he even suggested he might join them — a prospect that was discussed by the White House but eventually abandoned.
“We’re going to the Capitol,” he said. “We’re going to try and give our Republicans … the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.”
As the violence raged, Republican lawmakers and former administration officials had begged Trump to tell his supporters to stand down.
Adapted from reporting by Associated Press.
