Trump a 'terrorist' leader who should be put in 'complete isolation' to protect Americans, says CNN analyst
President Donald Trump was the "operational leader" of a domestic terrorist act that besieged the Capitol last week, according to a CNN analyst. Juliette Kayyem, a lecturer at Harvard University and former member of the Barack Obama administration's Homeland Security Advisory Council, made the claim during an appearance on CNN's 'Newsroom'. The segment featured a discussion on the challenges that authorities face in preparing to counter armed protests that are purportedly being planned across the nation when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office next week. the Daily Wire reported. Trump is being impeached in the House of Representatives currently.
“You have, to that point, exactly, Juliette, a really interesting new piece in The Atlantic this morning and you write, viewing Trump’s insurrection through a counterterrorism lens unlocks some insights about how to de-radicalize his most violent supporters,” CNN co-host Poppy Harlow said. “Tell us more about that because that is really about a solution.”
“Exactly. So we’re not there yet. And I think what we have to remember is Trump is the spiritual but I will also say operational leader of this domestic terrorism effort,” Kayyem claimed. “He tells them where to go. He tells them what to do. He tells them why they’re angry. And so we need to start at the top, like any counterterrorism effort, which is isolation of the president of the United States, impeachment, yes, 25th Amendment, yes, de-platforming, yes, all of the above, no money, no access to campaign funds, a complete isolation.”
Kayyem said it was "harder" for Trump to recruit a band of supporters because "the leader of a terrorist organization is viewed as a loser."
“Look, he’s going to have his radical elements. We will arrest them. We will isolate them," she said. "But what we have to make sure is that Donald Trump does not have a second act. I know I sound incredibly harsh right now calling the president this, but we are in the tactical response right now. Enough with the ‘let’s unify’ and stuff, this is a tactical effort to make sure that we protect American citizens and, of course, the next president of the United States.”
Kayyem's controversial comments came after the president emphatically denounced the violence that plagued the Capitol last week.
“I’d like to begin by addressing the heinous attack on the United States Capitol,” Trump said last week. “Like all Americans, I am outraged by the violence, lawlessness, and mayhem. I immediately deployed the national guard and federal law enforcement to secure the building and expel the intruders."
"America is and must always be a nation of law and order," he insisted. "The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country, and to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
Trump noted that the country has been through an "intense election" and that "emotions are high." However, he urged that "tempers must be cooled and calm restored" in order to "get on with the business of America."
"My campaign vigorously pursued every legal avenue to contest the election results. My only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote," the 45th POTUS explained. "In so doing, I was fighting to defend American democracy. I continue to strongly believe that we must reform our election laws to verify the identity and eligibility of all voters and to ensure faith and confidence in all future elections."
"Now, Congress has certified the results. A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20; my focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly, and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation," he added.
