(NewsNation) — Former President Donald Trump doubled down on his past actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 capitol attacks and throughout his legal processes, claiming “I did nothing wrong” as the first presidential debate veered toward talks of democracy.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden attacked his opponent for his insistence that his “retribution will be success,” alluding to the idea of going after his political opponents if reelected.
“The idea that you have the right to seek retribution against any American, just because you’re president, is wrong. It’s simply wrong. No president’s ever spoken like that before,” Biden said.
Jan. 6 insurrection
Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to stop the constitutionally mandated counting of electoral votes.
In response to voters who believe Trump’s actions and subsequent inaction during the attack on the U.S. Capitol violated presidential oaths to uphold democracy, the former president said, “I don’t think many believe that.”
“On Jan. 6, we had a great border, nobody coming through, very few. On Jan. 6, we were energy independent. On Jan. 6, we had the lowest taxes ever, we had the lowest regulations ever,” Trump claimed. “On Jan. 6, we were respected all over the world.”
Trump claimed that since the Biden administration took over, the U.S. has become a laughingstock.
Trump: ‘I did nothing wrong’
The Republican nominee doubled down on his past actions, claiming: “I did nothing wrong. We have a system that is rigged and disgusting,” before calling Biden a criminal instead.
Trump also claims he offered both Nancy Pelosi and the mayor of Washington D.C. 10,000 soldiers or National Guard members, but it was denied.
Biden believes differently: “Look, he encouraged those folks to go up to Capitol Hill, number one … He sat there for three hours. Three hours watching, begging, being begged by his vice president and a number of colleagues on the Republican side as well, to do something. To call for a stop. To end it.”
Instead, Biden said, the then-president called them “great patriots of America” and egged them on.
“There was no effort on his part to stop what was going on,” Biden added.
Biden: ‘[They] deserve to be convicted’
Biden told moderators that everyone who helped break into the Capitol and has since been convicted deserved to be convicted for their crimes, especially since police died in the incident.
“The idea that they didn’t kill somebody, just went in and broke down doors, broke the windows, occupied offices, turned over desks, turned over statues,” Biden said. “The idea that those people are patriots? Come on.”
Trump hit back with a reference to Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his recent felony convictions for knowingly, incorrectly filling out a gun registration form.
Biden brought up Trump’s own legal troubles and 34 felony convictions, telling the former president: “You have the morals of an alley cat.”
