The Defendant's Exploitation of the Violence and Chaos at the Capitol

During and after the defendant's remarks thousands of people marched toward the Capitol. After more than an hour of steady violent advancement the crowd at the Capitol broke into the building. When advisors urged the defendant to issue a calming message aimed at the rioters he refused instead repeatedly remarking that the people at the Capitol were angry because the election had been stolen. At 2 24 p.m. after advisors had left the defendant alone in his dining room the defendant issued a tweet intended to further delay and obstruct the certification.