The morning after the violent rioting at the U.S. Capitol, Jenna Bush Hager reflected on the unrest that took place while appearing onToday with Hoda & Jenna.
While speaking with co-hostHoda Kotb, the daughter of former President George W. Bush became emotional as she told viewers: “This is not the America that I know.”
“I have to say one of the best privileges of our job is that we travel all around the country and we meet incredible ordinary, extraordinary teachers, nurses, kind people. What was so hard for so many of us that have grieving hearts is these images are not our America. This is not the America that you know. This is not the America that I know. It is not the America we want our kids to know. So that was hard,” Bush Hager, 39, said during Thursday’s show.
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The mother of three also recalled her own memories of spending time at the Capitol, including mourning the death of her late grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush.
On Wednesday, the same day the House and Senate were in session to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College, President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters in a speech that was filled with baseless claims of election fraud. What followed wereviolent riots and marchesthrough the Capitol’s halls and chambers along with Trump supporters waving banners and flags emblazoned with the president’s name.
Four people have died, including a woman who was shot inside the Capitol, and more than a dozen police officers were injured.
“I think part of what hurts, and I heard from a friend that’s a writer, is that we feel like we’re helpless maybe in this moment but we’re not because the casual cruelty from the internet and words that do not reflect our country. We can stop that,” Bush Hager said on Thursday. “We can share kindness, and smiles, and love, and we can take back what is our country that we all love so very, very much.”
The former first daughter concluded, “I have optimism. I see you, seeing people I love, I have to say I want to hug so many people today. That’s a hardship. But seeing people that represent the good, spotlighting them. Like we have an opportunity. And I think, I have faith that our country will be better.”
Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 6.Samuel Corum/Getty
On Wednesday, Bush Hager’s parents, including former First Lady Laura Bush, released astatementin reaction to the Capitol rioting.
In addition, other former presidents includingBarack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter have also spoken out about the violence at the Capitol.
Trump’s predecessor also took aim at the current president and his supporters' baseless claims of election fraud, saying, “For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth — that this was not a particularly close election and that President-elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20. Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Now we’re seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo.”
source: people.com
