President Donald Trump issued a public message to the nation in a video issued late Wednesday, calling on Americans to promote peace, amid reports of planned demonstrations to take place in the coming days.
"Over the course of the past year, made so difficult because of COVID-19, we have seen political violence spiral out of control. We have seen too many riots, too many mobs, too many acts of intimidation and destruction. It must stop," he said.
"Whether you are on the right or on the left, a Democrat or a Republican, there is never a justification for violence. No excuses, no exceptions. America is a nation of laws. Those who engage in the attacks last week will be brought to justice."
"Now I am asking everyone who has ever believed in our agenda to be thinking of ways to ease tensions, calm tempers, and help to promote peace in our country," he continued. "There has been reporting that additional demonstrations are being planned in the coming days both here in Washington and across the country.
"I have been briefed by the U.S. Secret Service on the potential threats. Every American deserves to have their voices heard in a respectful and peaceful way. That is your First Amendment right. But I must emphasize that there must be no violence, no law-breaking, and no vandalism of any kind."
The president opened his speech by condemning acts of violence that took place amid the civil unrest on U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, when lawmakers gathered to count and certify electoral college votes for the now-president-elect Joe Biden.
“Mob violence goes against everything I believe in and everything our movement stands for. No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence. No true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement or our great American flag. No true supporter of mine could ever threaten or harass our fellow Americans. If you do any of these things, you are not supporting our movement, you’re attacking it, and you are attacking our country. We cannot tolerate it.”
The president also called for unity and denounced censorship amid recent big tech actions."I also want to say a few words about the unprecedented assault on free speech we have seen in recent days. These are tense and difficult times, the efforts to censor cancel and blacklist our fellow citizens are wrong and they are dangerous," he said. "What is needed now is for us to listen to one another, not to silence one another.
"All of us can choose by our actions to rise above the rancor and find common ground and shared purpose. We must focus on advancing the interest of the whole nation, delivering the miracle vaccines, defeating the pandemic, rebuilding the economy, protecting our national security, and upholding the rule of law. Today I’m calling on all Americans to overcome the passions of the moment and join together as one American people. Let us choose to move forward united, for the good of our families, our communities, and our country."
The president also called for unity and denounced censorship amid recent big tech actions.
"I also want to say a few words about the unprecedented assault on free speech we have seen in recent days. These are tense and difficult times, the efforts to censor cancel and blacklist our fellow citizens are wrong and they are dangerous," he said. "What is needed now is for us to listen to one another, not to silence one another.
"All of us can choose by our actions to rise above the rancor and find common ground and shared purpose. We must focus on advancing the interest of the whole nation, delivering the miracle vaccines, defeating the pandemic, rebuilding the economy, protecting our national security, and upholding the rule of law. Today I’m calling on all Americans to overcome the passions of the moment and join together as one American people. Let us choose to move forward united, for the good of our families, our communities, and our country."
Trump's remarks come as Democrats in the House of Representatives, joined by ten Republicans, just moments earlier voted to impeach him for a second time, alleging in a single article of impeachment that he incited an insurrection that resulted in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.