Although not technically a concession, President Trump has agreed to an “orderly transition” of power Thursday following President-elect Joe Biden’s victory confirmation by Congress.
What We Know:
- “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said, according to a statement released by the White House. Trump was unable to release the statement himself because Twitter temporarily locked his accounts for “repeated and severe violations” of the company’s civic integrity policy.
- This reversal came after “save the steal” terrorists violently ambushed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. Fueled by the President’s baseless claims that the election was stolen or that there was widespread fraud, armed thugs breached the Capitol building leaving five people dead.
- Following the attack, Trump continued to spew conspiracy theories about the election on his social media. In one video he posted to Twitter, he repeated the same unfounded claims inciting that the election was stolen and fraudulent, and encouraged his supporters to disperse. He concluded the video by telling his supporters he loved them and that they were “very special”.
- According to NBC News, Trump also repeatedly urged Vice President Mike Pence, before resuming the interrupted confirmation hearing, to throw out states’ votes or somehow send them back to the states, which he does not have the power to do.
- Trump’s undoubtedly reluctant admission of loss, came after mounting pressure from the country and other lawmakers to accept Biden’s victory. Even the President’s own GOP ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said after the riot that Biden was lawfully elected and that it was time to accept it. “Count me out. Enough is enough,” he said. “We’ve got to end it.”
In a somber speech responding to the violence occurring at the Capitol and condemning the President, Biden stated, “The words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad that president… At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite.”
