Rudy Giuliani says pro-Trump rioters attacking US Capitol building are ‘on the right side of history’

Former mayor and other Trump allies release statements only after violent rioters clash with law enforcement and breach Capitol building

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who led President Donald Trump’s legal efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 elections, said the president’s supporters violently rioting at the US Capitol building were “on the right side of the law and history” in a tweet as the Senate chambers were evacuated on Wednesday.

The former mayor wrote on Twitter: “To all those patriots challenging the fraudulent election , POTUS wants you to EXPRESS YOUR OPINION  PEACEFULLY.”

“We are the law and order party,” he added. “You are on the right side of the law and history. Act with respect for all.”

Mr Giuliani’s comments came as the president and others released similar statements calling for calm after the violent rioters had already breached security barricades and clashed with law enforcement before entering the Capitol building. 

As his supporters clashed with police, Mr Trump wrote the following message on Twitter: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

His family and Vice President Mike Pence then released similar messages on social media, though it was clearly too late, with rioters having already broken into congressional offices and shooting ammunition into the chambers of the Senate.

Congress was in the midst of convening to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections when the riots erupted. 

The demonstrators breached security measures as the Defense Department reportedly initially rejected a request to send the National Guard. It was later reported however that the National Guard was sent to help dissolve the riots. 

At least one person had been shot amid the violence, though it was unclear what their condition was as of Wednesday afternoon. Just moments before the Capitol building was overrun by the president’s supporters, lawmakers were delivering speeches about his undemocratic attempts to prevent the certification of Mr Biden’s victory. 

There has been no evidence to support the president’s false claims of rampant voter fraud, and in fact his own Department of Homeland Security described the election as the “most secure” in US history.