Former US President Donald Trump has denounced President Joe Biden’s fiery speech on the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, calling the remarks “political theater.”
In his speech, Biden accused Trump of creating a "web of lies" to pursue "power over principle.” He also said Trump posed "a continuing threat to democracy.”
Biden also accused Trump of attempting to block the democratic transfer of power on January 6, 2021 after losing the presidential election.
Biden "used my name today to try to further divide America," Trump said in a statement released just as Biden wrapped up his speech in Statuary Hall, on Thursday.
"This political theater is all just a distraction for the fact Biden has completely and totally failed," Trump said.
Trump further reiterated his claims that the 2020 election was rigged, pointing to why the House select committee investigating the January 6 attacks was "not discussing the rigged Presidential Election of 2020?" and again said the "big lie" was the election itself and not his claims that the result was rigged against him.
"It’s because they don’t have the answers or justifications for what happened. They got away with something, and it is leading to our Country’s destruction," Trump claimed. "They want all conversation concerning the Election 'Canceled.'"
Trump has been casting doubt on the outcome of his loss by insisting it was the result of fraud. He has said that the 2020 presidential election was “the greatest Election Hoax in history.”
Trump’s claims have significantly delegitimatized the democratic process in the United States. A recent poll has found that at least 50 percent of Republican voters surveyed believe their vote will not be counted accurately the next time they cast a ballot.
Graham: Biden speech 'brazen politicization' of Jan. 6
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina blasted Biden for the tone of his speech, calling it a "brazen" politicizing of the events a year ago.
"What brazen politicization of January 6 by President Biden," Graham said in a tweet sent during Biden's speech. "I wonder if the Taliban who now rule Afghanistan with al-Qaeda elements present, contrary to President Biden’s beliefs, are allowing this speech to be carried?"
Graham was referring to the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the country, which Biden oversaw last year.