Mattis says Trump fomented the Capitol assault through falsehoods and political intimidation
Reporting and findings
- reported
Mattis said the violent assault was fomented by Trump and enabled by political leaders who used deliberate disinformation to destroy trust in the election. He framed the target as constitutional government and the peaceful transfer of power, not ordinary protest. The statement is attributed analysis from Trump's former defense secretary; criminal responsibility rests on separate charges and judgments.
- Military.com: Former defense secretary Mattis denounces pro-Trump assault on CapitolMattis statement, attack characterization, disinformation concern, and accountability demand
Summary and current status
His statement treated the attack as an effort to subjugate democracy by mob rule and demanded accountability for political enablers.
Attributed assessment from former defense secretary
People and organizations
- Donald J. TrumpDonald Trump network root
- James Mattisformer Trump defense secretary
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpformer defense secretaryJames Mattis