Former US President Donald Trump was warmly welcomed by House and Senate Republicans on his first visit to Capitol Hill since the dramatic January 6 riots in 2021 that shocked the nation.
Trump’s visit, intended to rally Republican lawmakers, also marked his first return to Washington DC since being charged with 34 criminal counts in the Hush Money case. “There is tremendous unity in the Republican Party,” Trump stated after meeting with GOP senators at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
During a gathering of House Republicans, Trump, who turned 78 on Friday, was serenaded with “Happy Birthday.” Despite addressing the legislators, the former reality star did not entertain questions from reporters. The visit generated significant media coverage, with Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz describing it as a “pep rally,” CBS News reported.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, chair of the House Republican Conference, told reporters, “We are 100 percent unified behind his candidacy and are ready to get to work on behalf of the American people,” and deemed the event a “very successful” political assembly.
Pelosi condemns the visit
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly criticized Trump’s visit to the Capitol, accusing him of returning with “the same mission of dismantling our democracy.”
It is notable that Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in favor of Trump.
“Today, the instigator of an insurrection is returning to the scene of the crime,” Pelosi stated. “January 6 was a crime against the Capitol, that saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying under the dome that Lincoln built.”
“It was a crime against the constitution and its peaceful transfer of power, in a desperate attempt to cling to power. And it was a crime against members, heroic police officers and staff, that resulted in death, injury and trauma that endure to this day,” she added.
Pelosi, whose office was desecrated by rioters, remarked: “With his pledges to be a dictator on day one and seek revenge against his political opponents, Donald Trump comes to Capitol Hill today with the same mission of dismantling our democracy. But make no mistake – Trump has already cemented his legacy of shame in our hallowed halls.”
Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters — this is a LIE. His deceitful, deranged obsession with our mother is yet another reason Donald Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step foot anywhere near her — or the White House. https://t.co/RkHP0uQbRw
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) June 13, 2024
Trump responded to Pelosi’s remarks with criticism. “Nancy Pelosi’s daughter is a wacko … her daughter told me if things were different Nancy and I would be perfect together. There’s an age difference, though,” American website Punchbowl quoted Trump saying at the Republican lawmakers’ gathering.
However, Trump’s comments drew a sharp response from one of Pelosi’s daughters. “Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters — this is a LIE. His deceitful, deranged obsession with our mother is yet another reason Donald Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step foot anywhere near her — or the White House,” Christine Pelosi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on behalf of her mother.
Meanwhile, Pelosi’s spokesperson told The Hill that Trump has “lost his marbles.”