U.S. media outlet Breitbart reported Wednesday (Feb. 10) that in response to video clips shown on the first day of Trump‘s impeachment trial, former Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) raised a pointed question: as required by House Rule 34, the dissemination by electronic means, including through social media, of any image, video or audio file that is distorted with the intent to mislead the public Any image, video or audio file that is distributed by electronic means, including through social media, with the intent to mislead the public, is potentially subject to House disciplinary action.
The video clip Chaffetz is referring to was broadcast by chief impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-CA), on the first day of the Senate impeachment hearings. Four years ago in January 2017, Rep. Raskin had opposed certifying President Trump’s election results in the House of Representatives.
In the video, Raskin said, “What will it mean for future generations if the violence of January is not held accountable? I will show you.” The video then features a montage that makes it look like former President Trump is encouraging supporters to go to the Capitol for illegal actions.
Chaffetz, now a Fox Channel contributor, asked on Twitter, “Go to page 34 of House Rules, does manipulating the video violate House Rules?”
Go to page34 of House Rules. did the manipulated video violate the House Rules? https://t.co/v7eyPYVUNo
- Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) February 9,2021
Page 34 of the House Rules specifically addresses the issue of manipulated media distribution, “The Committee on Ethics shall report to the House by December 31, 2021, on any proposed amendments to the Official Code of Conduct and any accompanying regulations to address the following issues. . A member, representative, resident commissioner, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives who disseminates by electronic means, including social media, any image, video, or audio file that is intentionally distorted or manipulated to mislead the public may be subject to disciplinary action.”
After the hearing that day, most criticism from within the Republican Party suggested that Democrats tried to make the video look like former President Trump was inciting illegal actions, and that key parts of President Trump’s speech were intentionally left out by Democrats, including his call for supporters to “peacefully and patriotically” make their voices heard. This, in the video, does not appear.
Instead, Democrats stitched together a video showing Trump telling the crowd, “We’re going to walk through this, and I’m going to be with you. We’re going to walk over…to the Capitol.” The cut-out video also shows the crowd shouting, “Let’s occupy the Capitol!” The footage also shows demonstrators trying to break through barriers.
Democrats asserted in the video, “President Trump ends his speech and urges the mob to go to the Capitol.”
In reality, however, not once in his speech did Trump encourage people to go to the Capitol to commit acts of violence or lawlessness. When the incident occurred on Jan. 6, Trump repeatedly called for peace on social media as well.
Trump wrote after 3 p.m. on Jan. 6, “I ask everyone at the Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, we are the party of law-abiding people who respect the law and our great people. Thank you!”
Later on Jan. 6, Trump also urged protesters in his speech to go Home “in love and peace.
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