There will be no “counter-press conference” to commemorate the assault on Congress on January 6. Former US President Donald Trump has canceled his scheduled appointment in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, where the tycoon has lived since leaving the White House.
With a statement, Trump blamed the House committee of inquiry. The former president said he would touch on many issues, but the appointment is only postponed: Trump will speak at the rally in Arizona on January 15. «In light of the dishonesty of the unrecognized commission formed by Democrats and two failed Republicans – said Trump – and, due to the fake news media, I cancel the press conference in Mar-a-Lago. But I will discuss many of those issues in my January 15 rally in Arizona. And there will be a great crowd ».
Trump wanted to re-launch the unproven allegations of electoral fraud in the 2020 presidential elections and attack the House commission. While some Republicans would like to look forward, aiming for victory in the Midterm election, others had applauded the idea of the conference on the first anniversary of the assault on Capitol Hill. «President Trump – had commented a Fox New Conservative Indiana rep, Jim Banks – has important things to say and I, like many others, can’t wait to hear what he has to say. ‘ The wait is only lengthened. The appointment is on January 15, but it is not excluded that Trump will make his voice heard with an official statement on January 6, to reiterate the accusations and give everyone an appointment in Arizona.
To what the Washington Post, Trump had called the press conference without having a clear idea of what his message should be and with the idea of attacking journalists. But his staff feared that meeting with the media could prove a failure for Trump.
Meanwhile, the Capitol Hill Investigation Committee would like to hear former Vice President Mike Pence. This was stated by the chairman of the House Committee, Bennie Thompson. “I hope he does the right thing – he commented to CNN – and comes forward to testify voluntarily”. It is not clear whether the former vice president has given his availability. On January 6, 2021, despite protests from Republicans and President Trump, Pence certified the election of Joe Biden. The supporters of the former president who invaded the Capitol, went in search of the vice president, called a “traitor”, shouting “let’s hang him”.