Rep. Smith: Trump 'Caused' Jan. 6 Capitol Attack Violence

Trump's Role in the January 6th Capitol Attack

• 🗣️ Rioters at the Capitol were heard screaming that they were invited by the President, indicating a belief they were acting on Trump's orders.
• 🤥 The investigation uncovered evidence that knowing lies spread by Donald Trump about the election led to distrust among rioters.
• 📢 Trump was aware the crowd at the Ellipse was angry before telling them to march to the Capitol, and many rioters stated they might not have come if Trump hadn't convinced them the election was stolen.

Trump's Rhetoric and Calls to Action

• 📣 During a speech to supporters, Trump told them to come to Washington D.C. and "be wild".
• ⚠️ He was on notice that the crowd was angry and told them they needed to "fight" if they wanted to save their country, especially when there was nothing that could be done to stop the election outcome other than obstruct it.
• 📹 Video evidence exists of Trump making these statements, including telling the crowd that "when there is fraud, you can go by different rules."

Rioters' Defense and Accountability

• ⚖️ Some rioters admitted in their criminal cases that they committed crimes at the behest and in the name of Donald Trump.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The lawyer for Jacob Chansley (the QAnon shaman) highlighted that his client believed the President's words and thought Trump would walk with them to the Capitol.
• 🎯 The investigation concluded that Donald Trump was the person most responsible for what happened at the Capitol and that he caused the events of January 6th, which were foreseeable to him.