Trump Tweet Attacking Pence, 2:24 PM, January 6, 2021

Several of Trump's tweets on January 6 -- which were instantly read by tens of thousands in the mob -- were mealy-mouthed weasel words, incitements to violence expressing love for and understanding of the howling mob, which, as a kind of postscript, included a few pious words urging peace, but the thrust of the message was clear.

But there was one tweet, at 2:24 p.m., which included no such pious words. It was this one:

Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!

When I saw that, I wondered, what was going on at the Capitol at 2:24 p.m.? Had the building's security perimeter been breached by that time? 

Yes. Yes, it had. Here's a tweet just today from U.S. Senator from Connecticut, Chris Murphy:

I remember the moment I saw Trump's tweet attacking Pence. We were in the chamber as aides were scrambling to bar the doors. Some were sobbing in fear. The mob was outside. Someone yelled out shots had been fired.

I turned to Tim Kaine and said, 'Oh my god, he's egging them on.'"

Trump's tweet carried no attempt to damp down the passions of the mob: It was straight-up encouragement for them to put into action their words: "Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence!"

That's what five years of utter subjugation and sycophancy gets you from this guy, Mike. Savor it.