Donald J. Trump abruptly canceled a press conference on Tuesday that he had scheduled for Thursday evening at his Mar-a-Lago complex on ...
Donald J. Trump abruptly canceled a press conference on Tuesday that he had scheduled for Thursday evening at his Mar-a-Lago complex on the first anniversary of the violation of the United States Capitol.
Mr. Trump’s initial decision on December 30 to counter-schedule the commemorative events to be held on Capitol Hill had immediately aroused concern among Republicans and their allies, who questioned wisdom let him grab the limelight, claiming it would be an unnecessary and harmful distraction.
Republicans, including Mr. Trump in a statement Tuesday, tried to distract from the fact that it was the former president’s supporters who turned violent as they sought to delay certification of the 2020 election, and at to blame falsely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the violence.
Mr. Trump’s encouraging speech to supporters on Jan.6, delivered shortly before the riot, was the centerpiece of his second impeachment by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. He was acquitted by the Senate, which failed to achieve a two-thirds majority to condemn him for “incitement to insurrection”.
In his statement, Mr. Trump blamed both the media and the House’s ongoing investigation into the assault on the Capitol for its cancellation, but said he would “discuss many of these important topics.” at a rally he was planning for Jan. 15 in Arizona. .
In recent days, according to people familiar with the matter, it has become clear that Mr. Trump’s press conference is unlikely to receive the kind of general wired coverage he typically wants, and some advisers have urged the former president to postpone a day that would draw less attention to a low point in his presidency.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to speak on Thursday, and President Pelosi told lawmakers in a letter last week that there would be a full day of events, including a prayer vigil on the steps of the Capitol in the early evening.
“These events are designed as an observance of reflection, remembrance and re-engagement, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayer,” she wrote.
Maggie Haberman contributed reports.
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