TRUMP CLAIMS CAPITOL RIOTERS WEREN’T VIOLENT, HUGGED COPS

Former President Donald Trump is defending his supporters who violently assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, claiming they posed "zero threat," despite the riot resulting in five deaths and injuries as well as property destruction, Michelle Stoddart reported for ABC News early on March 27, 2021.

He also alleged his supporters were being persecuted during a phone interview Thursday night with Fox News hostess Laura Ingraham, asserting the rioters were "hugging and kissing" Capitol Police officers, a claim that immediately drew derision and questions about Trump’s mental health. It added more proof to the claim of clinical psychologists that Trump is incapable of telling the truth.

The riot led to more than 50 injuries and left five dead, authorities have said, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick. Rioters also threatened members of Congress and called for then-Vice President Mike Pence, who was in the Capitol at the time, to be hanged.

"It was zero threat, right from the start, it was zero threat," Trump told Fox. "Look, they went in, they shouldn't have done it. Some of them went in, and they are hugging and kissing the police and the guards, you know, they had great relationships, and a lot of the people were waved in, and then they walked in and they walked out."

Trump also compared the riot to protests for racial justice over the summer of 2020, saying his supporters were being prosecuted when Black Lives Matter protesters weren't. Some critics said Trump may as well be charged with instigating the Jan. 6 riot and join the 300 who have been charged, with more than 100 still to be charged, Will Steakin, Libby Cathey and Alexander Mallin of ABC News also reported.

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