Trump calls Jan. 6 rioters 'we' in discussing insurrection at presidential debate

Former President Donald Trump embraced the January 6 insurrection during the presidential debate Tuesday, calling rioters at the capitol, "we."

"It's a disgrace. But we (referring to the insurrectionists) didn't do -- this group of people that have been treated so badly," Trump said.

The Republican nominee said that the death of Ashley Babbit at the front doors of the House of Representatives during the attempted overthrow of the 2020 election was a "disgrace" done by an "out of control police officer."

The police officer was cleared of wrongdoing in August of 2021.

Trump attempted to dodge the question from ABC anchor David Muir, who asked if he had any regrets for any of his actions during the riot. Trump attempted to distance himself from the insurrection, falsely attempting to push blame for inadequate security onto then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Trump spreads 2020 and election falsehoods at debate

Trump continued to push falsehoods about the 2020 elections, including the claim that he won the election that he lost. Trump repudiated his previous recognition that he lost the election calling the statements, "sarcasm."

Trump further threatened not to accept the results of the 2024 election saying, "the election, people should never be thinking about an election as fraudulent."

The Republican candidate continued the anti-immigrant theme of his campaign, pushing the falsehood that illegal immigrants are voting in American elections.

" They can't even speak English," Trump said. "They don't even know what country they're in practically."

How to watch the Harris-Trump debate

At 9 p.m. EDT, USA TODAY Network will stream the ABC News Presidential Debate Simulcast on the USA TODAY channel , available on most smart televisions and devices.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump calls Jan. 6 rioters 'we' in discussing insurrection at presidential debate