Melania Trump, the former first lady of the US, has said in an interview that she was unaware of the violence that unfolded at Washington’s Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, as she was deeply involved in “fulfilling one of my duties as First Lady” at the White House. Had she been aware, she said, she would’ve “immediately denounced the violence.” Her comments came just ahead of a prime-time hearing of the January 6 committee into the insurrection.

“On January 6, 2021, I was fulfilling one of my duties as First Lady of the United States of America, and accordingly, I was unaware of what was simultaneously transpiring at the U.S. Capitol Building,” Melania, the 52-year-old wife of former US President Donald Trump told Fox News Digital.

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She said just like her predecessors, she was obligated to “record the contents of the White House’s historic rooms, including taking archival photographs of all the renovations.” A qualified team of photographers, archivists, and designers were brought together to “ensure perfect execution” and January 6, 2021, was the date chosen to “complete the work on behalf of our nation,” Melanie said.

CNN had earlier reported that the exercise involved photos “being taken of rugs and other items in the Executive Residence and the East Wing,” of the White House. 

Melania Trump‘s former chief of staff Stephanie Grisham has alleged that the former first lady was informed about the riotous mob storming the Capitol, but she did not immediately sign off on a statement condemning the insurrection.

However, Melania Trump denied the allegation. 

“Ms. Grisham was not in the White House on January 6, and her behavior in her role as Chief of Staff ultimately amounts to dereliction of duty,” she said, adding that “traditionally, the First Lady’s Chief of Staff provides detailed briefings surrounding our Nation’s important issues.”

Melania claimed that Grisham “failed to provide insight and information into the events surrounding January 6” as she had abandoned her post. “Shamefully, this behavior has only partially become public knowledge; yet was consistent for Ms. Grisham,” she alleged.

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She said she has “always been very supportive” of Stephanie Grisham. “I stood behind Ms. Grisham after her failed stint as White House Press Secretary and welcomed her back to the East Wing,” she said.

The former first lady also said that Grisham has been recently trying to betray her as part of her “last-ditch attempt to resuscitate her ruined career and reputation.”