Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’M DON FOR
Trump says he’ll go.. amid calls to oust him before more carnage President talks of pardoning himself & family to beat charges
TALK Nancy Pelosi had fear over nukes
VICTIM Officer Brian Sicknick
SHAME Mob storms the Capitol building
DONALD Trump finally admitted defeat and promised to go quietly, but only after lawyers warned he could face charges for stoking the mob that stormed the Capitol.
The outgoing US President was considering granting himself a pardon in his final days in the White House.
He was also looking at pardons for family members and close aides to avoid potential future prosecutions.
In a video message yesterday, he said Joe Biden would be sworn in on January 20, adding: “My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”
Condemning Wednesday’s riots he added: “To those who engage in the acts of violence and destruction: You do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
Aides had urged him to publicly denounce the pro-trump mob after initially saying he “loved” them.
But it emerged he only spoke after White House counsel Pat Cipollone warned of the legal risk he faces over his role in the riots that left five dead – police officer Brian Sicknick, who died in hospital on Thursday, Ashli Babbitt, Rosanne Boyland, Kevin Greeson and Benjamin Phillips. The US Justice Department has not ruled out pursuing charges against Trump.
In a petulant tweet he announced he would not attend his successor’s inauguration, becoming the first president in 152 years to snub the event.
Incoming leader Joe Biden hit back, saying Trump’s absence would be a “good thing” as he had “embarrassed” the US around the world.
Calls continued for Trump’s removal before January 20, with a push for impeachment as early as next week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to military commander Mark Milley about how to ensure Trump cannot order a nuclear strike in his final days. She said: “The situation of this unhinged president could not be more dangerous.”
Along with a selfpardon, Trump has told advisers he wants to pardon rappers Kodak Black and Lil Wayne over gun-related offences.
But any hopes Trump had of fleeing to his golf course in Scotland were dashed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. It was reported that Prestwick Airport, near his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, was told to expect a US military Boeing 757 on January 19.
But Ms Sturgeon said: “We are not allowing people to come into Scotland without an essential purpose and that would apply to him.”
DEAD Trump fan Kevin Greeson