After a day that saw a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters breaching the U.S. Capitol and the president blocked from social media after appearing to encourage them, Seth Meyers wanted to put things as plainly as possible.
“I think it’s important, as the first draft of history is being written, and as we’re all processing what we witnessed today, to be as plain-spoken and clear-eyed as possible,” said the Late Night host during a live monologue. “What we saw today was a violent insurgency, an attempt to overthrow the legitimately elected government of the United States. And it was incited, directed, and encouraged by the president Donald Trump, and more than a few members of the Republican party and right-wing media.”
Like fellow late night host Stephen Colbert did in his live monologue, Meyers then proceeded to lambast Republicans, right-wing media, and the “sedition caucus” for their role in encouraging Wednesday’s events, saying they “should wear this shame and disgrace for the rest of their lives.”
After that, he turned his attention to the president.
“As for Trump, the only way — the only way our democracy will survive this harrowing moment, is if he is immediately removed from office by either the cabinet or the Congress, and prosecuted,” Meyers said.
“Anything less is tacit permission to continue to use his office, and his influence after he leaves office, to foment sedition and dismantle democracy.”