First Lady Melania Trump has kept her powder dry on the storming of the U.S. Capitol for five days. Until today. The First Lady, on Monday, released a statement in which she shredded “the salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false, misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda.”

She also condemned the violence at the Capitol. “Violence is never acceptable,” she said.

Melania Trump makes first statement after Capitol riot

“Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable.”https://t.co/B8M9LV9sUX

— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) January 11, 2021

Melania’s statement, titled “Our Path Forward” was posted to the official White House website on Monday. (I’m surprised Jack the Autocrat, the Potentate of Zuckerville, and Tim Cook haven’t yet figured out how to take down the White House site. [sarc])

The First Lady said her “heart goes out to” to both the United States Capitol Police officers and the protesters who died as a result of the riot: “Air Force Veteran Ashli Babbit, Benjamin Phillips, Kevin Greeson, Rosanne Boyland, and the Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood.”

“I pray for their families [sic] comfort and strength during this difficult time,” she said.

https://t.co/2xTDIOgsIS

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 11, 2021

The First Lady began by sharing her reflections about the past year.

“Like all of you, I have reflected on the past year and how the invisible enemy, Covid-19 [sic], swept across our beautiful country. All Nations have experienced the loss of loved ones, economic pain, and the negative impacts of isolation.

“As your First Lady, it has been inspiring to witness firsthand what the people of our great Nation will do for one another, especially when we are at our most vulnerable.

“With nearly every experience I have had, I found myself carrying many individual’s [sic] stories home with me in my heart.”

While Melania condemned the violence that unfolded during the storming of the Capitol as “never acceptable,” she torched those who have, she said, spread gossip, reduced themselves to engaging in personal attacks, making false and misleading accusations against her. No doubt, over her reported photo shoot.

What was she supposed to do? Seems to me that whatever it was fell to someone else.

“I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda.

“This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain.

“Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on [sic] our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable.

As an “American” who is “proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution,” the First Lady called on “citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives.” Principally, she called on people to stop the violence; on all sides of the political spectrum.

“I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a person’s skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us.

It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are.”

Disagree? Then present a reasonable alternative.

The reasonability must include a persuasive argument as to how it makes sense for the Republican Party — principally, my fellow Constitutional Conservatives — to continue to look rearward instead of looking forward — together, straight into the eyes of those we face.

And what we, as conservatives, must confront is a concerted effort by the Left to destroy America as we know it. If a fractious GOP is your answer for dealing with censorship, a direct threat to threat to free speech, and liberty, count me out.

Ever-graceful, Melania ended her statement with grace and dignity.

“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years and shown the incredible impact of the American spirit.

“I am grateful to you all for letting me serve you on platforms which are dear to me.

“Most importantly, I ask for healing, grace, understanding, and peace for our great Nation.

“Every day let us remember that we are one Nation under God. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America.”

Sincerely,

Melania Trump

I’ll go out on a (safe) limb and suggest that Melania Trump will be skewered by overzealous people on both sides of the chasm. The Left will criticize her for her references to herself; some on the Right will criticize her for suggesting that people come together and “heal.”

Melania Trump ‘disappointed and disheartened’ over Capitol attack: ‘Nation must heal in a civil manner’https://t.co/nDSopHI3Zt

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 11, 2021

No doubt she will also be shellacked by the Left for mentioning the rioters — yes, rioters; I’ve seen as many videos as has anyone — before the Capitol police who died.

And please stop with the “Sicknick might have died of natural causes, not as a result of being hit over the head with the fire extinguisher” argument. Remove Sicknick from the equation altogether? The song remains the same. 

Melania Trump releases statement on Capitol breach: ‘violence is never acceptable’ | Just The Newshttps://t.co/KfbmH67eoc

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 11, 2021

Personally, I see no problem with the order in which she listed the people she mentioned, but, sure; perhaps it would have made sense to first mention law enforcement officers who lost their lives while attempting to stop the mayhem. But to a degree, so what? The order, I mean. Those who choose to nitpick her relative statement? That’s on them.

The bottom line.

Between whataboutism, advanced rationalization, and willful ignorance of — or refusal to accept— facts, the U.S. Constitution, and federal law (see: Mike Pence), how can Melania Trump avoid being torched over her statement by those who choose to do so?

I suggested earlier today in another forum that one would be better off attempting to teach a pigeon to speak French, rather than trying to get through to the overzealous among us. The reason being, the probability of success would be greater with the pigeon.