Former President Donald Trump delivered a highly anticipated speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night, where he provided his first detailed account of the January 6th Capitol riot, claiming he was “not supposed to be here” and that his supporters were merely “hugging and kissing the police.”

His remarks were met with cheers from the crowd, but were quickly met with condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans who condemned his rhetoric as incendiary and dangerous.

Trump’s speech, delivered from the White House lawn, focused heavily on his claims of election fraud, repeating his unfounded allegations of a “stolen” election. He also launched into a passionate defense of his actions on January 6th, claiming he was simply exercising his constitutional right to “protest peacefully.”

“I was going to go to the Capitol,” Trump stated, “but the crowd was so large, so powerful, so amazing. The greatest crowd in history! They said ‘no, Mr. President, you can’t go.’ I told them, ‘I’m not supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be at the Capitol, but the crowd is just too big. It’s an absolute sea of red, white, and blue!’”

He went on to describe the events of the day, emphasizing the “peaceful” nature of his supporters and their respect for law enforcement.

“They were all hugging and kissing the police,” Trump said. “They were just patriots, showing their love for America, just like we do every day. It was beautiful, really beautiful.”

His claims, however, directly contradict the accounts of law enforcement officers who were attacked by rioters and the extensive evidence gathered by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack.

The speech served as a clear signal that Trump is not backing down from his claims of election fraud or his defense of his actions on January 6th. His continued embrace of his supporters who engaged in violence and his dismissal of the severity of the attack on American democracy have alarmed many observers, who fear his rhetoric could further incite political violence.

The speech also marked the beginning of Trump’s campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination. While he did not explicitly announce his candidacy, his strong messaging and continued focus on the January 6th events indicate he is positioning himself as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

With the 2024 election looming, Trump’s speech has renewed concerns about the future of American democracy and the potential for further political violence. Whether his words will lead to further division and unrest or serve as a catalyst for healing remains to be seen.