GOP organizer advises calm ahead of Inauguration Day
Written by Victoria Scialfa on January 12, 2021
GOP organizer advises calm ahead of Inauguration Day
By Tyler Pratt
January 12, 2021
“Don’t cause trouble.”
That’s the advice from one Republican organizer to supporters of President Donald Trump thinking about going to Washington to protest President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.
Brendan Schoepflin runs a Facebook group called “Pro-Trump Flag Rallies for Lehigh And Northampton Counties.” The Tea Party member has staged multiple events across the region over the past year often carrying firearms while waving flags for Trump.
But Schoepflin says though he did not go to Washington last week, he has opinions about the assault on the Capitol and suggestions for what Republicans should do now.
“Just be smart about it,” he says, “And if you sense trouble walk away.”
Schoepflin says he believes Trump did incite Wednesday’s insurrection, but also puts the blame on those who stormed the Capitol. He says he will continue to support the President, perhaps in future elections.
He urges Republicans to avoid violence in the coming days.
“Listen, I know we are all upset but we need to move forward and just get ready for the next election. That’s all we can basically do. I understand you guys want to go down there and show your frustration. But at the end of the day it’s not going to do anything,” he says.
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