President Biden’s re-election campaign has released a new ad to criticize former President Trump over the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol ahead of Trump’s visit to the Capitol on Thursday.
The 30-second ad titled “Burn” highlights the events of January 6 and Trump’s promise to release protesters arrested on January 6 if he is elected to another term.
The ad will run on television in swing states during local news broadcasts “in an effort to remind voters about Trump’s inexcusable actions on January 6 and his promise to go further if re-elected,” according to the campaign.
“On January 6, Donald Trump lit a fire in this country,” the ad says, noting that 140 police officers were injured during the riots.
“Fueling the flames of division and hatred, he is now pouring gasoline… pledging to forgive the extremists who tried to overthrow our government, urging them to try again,” it continues.
The ad was scrapped hours before Trump was due to head to the Capitol to meet with lawmakers in an effort to strike a unified tone ahead of the Republican National Convention. Trump is expected to meet with Senate Republicans, House Republicans and the Business Roundtable while in Washington on Thursday.
“Today, the instigator of an insurrection returns to the scene of the crime. January 6th was a crime against the Capitol, which saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying beneath the dome that Lincoln built,” said National Advisory Council Biden campaign chair and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- California), in a statement.
“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 deputies, heroic police officers and staff, which resulted in deaths, injuries and trauma that continues to this day,” he added.
The Trump campaign responded to the ad, arguing that Biden has a “failed presidency.”
“The only thing burning in America is Joe Biden’s failed presidency. From record inflation to open borders and war around the world, Joe Biden’s weakness and failed policies have harmed Americans financially, made our country less safe and the world more unstable,” said Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for Trump. in a statement.
Updated: 9:33 am
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
