President Donald Trump, in a video message, is urging supporters to “go home” following an extraordinary scene at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon.
The video was issued more than two hours after protesters began storming the Capitol as lawmakers convened for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College results.
Trump opened his video, saying, “I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now.”
He also went on to call the supporters “very special.” He also said, “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.”
Republican lawmakers and previous administration officials had begged Trump to give a statement to his supporters to quell the violence. The statement came as authorities struggled to take control of a chaotic situation at the Capitol that led to the evacuation of lawmakers.
