2:38 p.m.
Trump tweets that the rioters should “stay peaceful,” but doesn’t tell them to leave the Capitol.
Around 3 p.m.
White House aides draft a statement for Trump to release, which would’ve condemned the violence and the “illegal” actions of the rioters, according to Hutchinson’s testimony. The statement was never released.
3:09 p.m.
Former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus texts Meadows, “TELL THEM TO GO HOME !!!,” according to messages obtained by CNN.
3:13 p.m.
Trump tweets that his supporters at the Capitol should “remain peaceful,” but again doesn’t tell them to leave the premises. At the same time, Trump’s former Health Secretary Tom Price texts Meadows saying, “POTUS should go on air and defuse this,” according to messages obtained by CNN.
3:15 p.m.
Ivanka Trump, the President’s daughter and senior adviser, calls the rioters “patriots” in a tweet, and tells them that “the violence must stop,” but does not say that they should leave the Capitol.
3:31 p.m.
Fox News host Sean Hannity, who promoted many of Trump’s election lies, texts Meadows, “Can he make a statement. I saw the tweet. Ask people to peacefully leave the capital,” according to messages obtained by CNN. Meadows replies, “on it.”
4:03 p.m.
Trump heads to the Rose Garden to film a recorded message. His staff prepared a script for him to read, which said, “no one should be using violence or threats. … Let’s respect our institutions, let’s all do better.” But Trump goes off-script and improvises most of his remarks, according to a witness, who later testified to the January 6 committee.
So you see, Trump could have put out a statement saying stop leave the capitol, go home. He could have called the National Gaurd or DOD. But he did none of that
Then finally and dare say reluctantly Trump puts out this tweet4:17 p.m.
Trump tweets out a video, where he tells the rioters that “you have to go home now,” but he also praises them and repeats the lie that fueled the attack itself – that the 2020 election was stolen.
And guess what happen? Yes the rioters stopped and left the capitol, now imagine if he had put that tweet out 3 hours earlier
