Ivanka Trump took to Twitter to urge “American patriots” to halt the violence in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol in protest of a vote to certify his defeat in the 2020 election.
In a now-deleted tweet, the White House adviser retweeted a message from her father, President Trump, echoing his message to demonstrators telling them to stay peaceful.
“American Patriots – any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable,” she wrote in the tweet. “The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful.”
The tweet from the oldest Trump daughter was deleted not long after it was posted.
In a response to CNN correspondent Kate Bennett, who questioned if she was calling the protesters who were breaking into the Capitol “patriots,” Ivanka clarified her stance, writing, “no.”
“Peaceful protest is patriotic,” she said. “Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
As images of the violence and unrest on Capitol Hill gripped the nation, President Trump’s son Eric Trump also weighed in on Twitter:
At least one person was reportedly shot after the rioters forced their way into the Capitol. Tear gas was deployed and security officers with their guns drawn were seen in the House chamber.