Ivanka Trump may have deleted a tweet calling the Mafia "American patriots."

[In a now-deleted tweet, Ivanka Trump called the rioters who attacked the Capitol "American patriots." Ivanka, the president's daughter and advisor, said, "American patriots - security violations and disrespect for law enforcement will not be tolerated. The violence must stop immediately. Please, peacefully. [However, when asked to clarify whether she was calling the rioters "patriots," she replied, "No, peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms."

Her message was uttered as federal lawmakers were deliberating the results of the Electoral College after a pro-Trump mob took over the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Senators and Representatives were evacuated from the building.

"A flash of sound was heard near the Capitol steps as smoke filled the air," CNN (opens in new tab) reported, describing the scene. In some cases, officers could be seen deploying pepper spray." Tear gas was sprayed, but it was unclear whether it was protesters or police, and people were coughing and wiping away tears.

A D.C. police spokesman confirmed that one woman shot during the riot was killed (opens in new tab).

President Trump's spokesperson stated that he deployed the National Guard (opens in new tab) along with "other federal protective services" a full hour after the chaos began. President Trump also tweeted, "Please support Capitol Police and law enforcement. They are truly on our country's side. Stay peaceful!" He added: "I am asking everyone on Capitol Hill to remain peaceful. There should be no violence! Remember we are the party of law and order and respect the law and our great men and women in blue. Thank you!"

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In a video posted this afternoon, Trump told the mob (opens in new tab) We love you guys. You are special. He also tweeted (opens in new tab). 'This is what happens when a sacred landslide election victory is unceremoniously and viciously stripped from great patriots who have been so terribly mistreated for so long. Go home in love and peace. Remember this day forever!"

Ivanka's brother, Donald Trump Jr. also tweeted about the mob at the Capitol, saying, "This is wrong and unlike us. Be peaceful and exercise your First Amendment rights. We have a country to save and this is not helping anyone."

Earlier in the day, though, he addressed a rally (opens in new tab) protesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, celebrating that participants did not "burn down the building." He said, "According to the media, if a large number of peaceful protesters get together, they are supposed to burn everything down. He said, "Guys, we can do it right. This is not their Republican Party anymore. This is Donald Trump's Republican Party."

Ivanka's "American Patriot" remark certainly echoes statements made by her father after the violent "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. After a white supremacist drove his car into the crowd and killed counter-protester Heather Heyer (opens in new tab), Trump said, "There were very fine people on both sides." (Open in new tab)

Now Ivanka and her family are refusing to call the D.C. mob members what they are.