Page:Materials in Support of H. Res. 24.pdf/21

 take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN… I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. They won’t stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen. @senatemajldr @JohnCornyn @SenJohnThune. In the days prior to the event, President Trump had likewise acknowledged his awareness of the masses gathered as a result of his prior statements. For example, in response to the President’s tweet encouraging his supporters to come to D.C. on January 6th, a supporter confirmed, “[t]he calvary [sic] is coming, Mr. President!”, to which President Trump responded directly: “A great honor!” And, in response to reports that crowds were “descending” upon D.C., the President wrote: “we hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office.”

Moreover, President Trump had every reason to know that, incited by his statements, the thousands of people pouring into D.C. would engage in actual violence. As early as December 1st, elected officials warned President Trump of the consequences of his rhetoric. For example, Gabriel Sterling, an elected official in Georgia, cautioned President Trump regarding his public statements spreading false claims about the election: “Mr. President … Stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence. Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get shot, someone’s going to get killed.”

In the days leading up to the January 6th rally, it was widely reported that militia groups, the Proud Boys—a group the President told to “stand back and stand by” during a presidential debate—and others Trump supporters had posted pictures with weaponry that they planned to bring to the Rally and use to storm and occupy the Capitol.

For example, a member of the Red-State Secession group on Facebook posted on January 5, 2021: “If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept