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January 6, 2021politicalincitementpolitical violenceelection subversiondomestic terrorismpolitical

Trump tells 10,000+ supporters at Ellipse to fight like hell and march to Capitol

On January 6, 2021, President Trump delivers a 70-minute speech at the Ellipse near the White House to a crowd of more than 10,000 supporters as Congress meets to certify the 2020 Electoral College results confirming Joe Biden's election. Trump uses the word "fight" or variations 20 times; the speech's central call to action is: "We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." Trump also tells the crowd: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol. And we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women." Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, precedes Trump and calls for "trial by combat." Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) tells the crowd: "Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass." Trump's speech runs from approximately 12:00 PM to 1:11 PM. Capitol Police are overwhelmed and the Capitol is breached at approximately 2:11 PM. Trump watches events at the Capitol on television in the White House dining room for 3 hours and 7 minutes without calling off the attack, according to the January 6 Committee.