Ivanka Trump has called the insurgents who stormed the US Capitol building “ American patriots, ” urging them to refrain from violence, before hastily reverting to the comment.
In a now-deleted tweet sent as protesters stormed the seat of American democracy, the president’s eldest daughter and adviser said, “American patriots – any breach of security or disrespect for our law enforcement is unacceptable. The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful. “
She emphatically did not call for protests to end their demonstration or to give up their siege of the Capitol building.
Questioned online about her use of the term ‘patriots’ to describe the protesters – some of whom carried the secessionist Confederal flag – Ivanka Trump clarified:’ No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. “ She deleted the original tweet. The response will remain online.
Ivanka Trump
(@IvankaTrump)No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. https://t.co/GwngZTqzTH
Ivanka Trump hasn’t tweeted since.
The beleaguered Capitol, journalist Jake Sherman condemned Trump’s use of the term “patriots”. American patriots? I’m locked here. The capital has been breached and people have drawn guns. What are you talking about?”
White House correspondent April Ryan said that while Ivanka was painted as the ‘voice of reason’ her father advised, she was ‘complicit’ in the violence that was attended in the Capitol.
AprilDRyan
(@AprilDRyan)We were always told that @IvankaTrump would become the “voice of reason” for her father. Instead, she’s just as complicit.
You can delete the tweet, but you who call the rioters “American Patriots” will live on! pic.twitter.com/0G8SGvH4fE
Others pointed to Trump’s removal of the tweet as proof that it was inappropriate.
Eric Columbus, a former special adviser in the US Department of Homeland Security, urged Ivanka and Donald Trump to end the violence.
Eric Columbus
(@EricColumbus)Walk to your dad’s office and tell him to come on TV and tell them all to go home. Shout at him until he does. Please save some lives.
Donald Trump’s Twitter account has been suspended “for repeated and serious violations of our civil integrity policy.”
His account – the main medium for communication with supporters – is blocked for 12 hours after deleting the infringing tweets. If he refuses to delete them, his account will remain locked and further violations can lead to a permanent ban.
Twitter safety
(@TwitterSafety)As a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, DC, we have demanded the removal of three @realDonaldTrump Tweets posted earlier today for repeated and serious violations of our integration policy. https://t.co/k6OkjNG3bM
“If the tweets are not deleted, the account will remain locked. Future violations of the Twitter rules, including our civil integrity policy or violent threats, will result in permanent suspension of the @ realDonaldTrump account, ”the Twitter security account said.
In protests described as the greatest threat to American democracy since the Civil War, Trump loyalists stormed the seat of American democracy – the Capitol – to block certification of the November presidential election, a constitutional formality that will make Joe Biden on Inaugurated January 20.
While the rioters temporarily managed to halt the vote, the certification process resumed US time Wednesday night.
One woman died from a gunshot wound during the protests.