San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, one of the most outspoken critics of the sports world on President Donald Trump, unleashed a lightning tirade against Trump on Thursday, one day after the president’s supporters stormed the US Capitol.
In a conversation with reporters ahead of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Popovich spoke at length about the deadly riot in DC. He blamed Trump in full for the fuel from the vitriol that led to the attack and demanded that he be removed from office.
Popovich also criticized Vice President Mike Pence and Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Lindsey Graham for enabling Trump during his four years in office. Associated Press Tim Reynolds posted a transcript of the meat of Popovich’s response:
“He is incapable. “He is incompetent,” Popovich said of Trump. “He can not care. And it’s sad because he’s a disturbed, very flawed individual, but he’s dangerous too. That’s why I think it’s not so far-fetched for people to start talking about the 25th Amedment. ”
Popovich even speculated that Trump enjoyed watching the riot, questioning the lack of preparedness of Capitol police.
“I believe with all my heart that Trump enjoyed it,” Popovich said. ‘And they talked about the police and how easy it was and the barriers were pulled and just walked in. It only happens when there is a wink and nod somewhere. It just does not happen. This never happened during any protest that anyone has ever been to. ”
Popovich’s speculation is backed by CNN Kaitlan Collins, who tweeted that White House officials were shaken by Trump’s “border-enthusiastic” response to watching his supporters storm the Capitol.
During the attack, Trump tweeted requests for his supporters to remain peaceful, but also confirms that the election was stolen from him. Towards the end of the attack, he released a video in which they are told to go home but also mention sympathy with them and ‘very special’.
The attack left at least four people dead and dozens arrested, according to DC officials, as well as the resignation of Steven Sund, Capitol Police Chief.
“I’m ashamed to be an American and show people what they saw yesterday,” said Popovich, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He later took part in a prediction demonstration with players from Spurs and Lakers, who joined hands during the national anthem:
Scenes of the riot caused condemnation from across the NBA, both for the surrealistic nature of the Capitol overtaken by violent insurgents and for the alleged double standard of dealing with black protesters compared to the overwhelming white crowd in DC
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