Former President Donald Trump continues to deny that he lost the 2020 presidential election, claiming that he was being sarcastic when he said he lost “by a whisker.” Trump repeated false claims about winning the election and dodged questions about his actions on January 6, 2021. Federal prosecutors allege that Trump knowingly spread falsehoods about the election to stay in office and stop the peaceful transfer of power. Some Jan. 6 rioters who followed Trump have expressed regret for believing his lies, while others continue to stand by him.
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump for not accepting the election results, calling it deeply troubling and questioning his temperament and ability to process facts. Harris emphasized the need to move forward and protect democracy. Trump has shown support for Jan. 6 defendants, calling them patriots and suggesting he would pardon some of them. Over 1,400 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack, with over 1,000 convictions obtained and hundreds receiving prison sentences.
The Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for seditious conspiracy, with federal prosecutors linking the group’s actions to Trump’s rhetoric. Trump’s statements at the debate in September 2020 encouraging the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” were cited in the trial. The events of January 6 resulted in the death of several officers, including by suicide. Harris stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and democracy in the face of attempts to undermine the election results and attack the foundations of democracy.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
