President Donald Trump, who has referred to the rioters on January 6, 2021, as "unbelievable patriots," chastised anti-war demonstrators at Columbia University on Tuesday for causing property damage while they were occupying Hamilton Hall.
Commentators were quick to point out the irony, questioning why there had been such indignation when hundreds of Trump's supporters besieged the US Capitol building in an effort to reverse the election's lawful results in 2020.
Trump complimented New York police for removing individuals from the university administration building on Tuesday night during an appearance on Sean Hannity's Fox News show.
The building was taken over by demonstrators against Israel's war on Gaza.
In a phone conversation, Trump said to Fox News's Sean Hannity, "It should never have gotten to this, and they should have done it a lot sooner than before
they took over the building because it would have been a lot easier if they were in tents rather than a building."
"And there was also a great deal of damage done; that building is a landmark, and these people have really destroyed it."
University photos display stacked furniture and smashed windows inside Hamilton Hall following
Select Red Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against CanadiensRed Wings eliminated from playoff race despite comeback victory against Canadiens