A dark day in American history
Biden’s fury at Trump and his terrorist mob
SCARED FOR THEIR LIVES
Congress staffers barricade themselves in a room during riot
TRUE COLOURS Supporter at demo
DONALD Trump’s own cabinet began to turn against him as calls grew to remove him from office after the deadly Capitol riots that shamed America.
There were demands for the 25th amendment to be invoked, allowing Vice President Mike Pence to take over until Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20.
Some 6,200 National Guardsmen were mobilised to Washington DC from across the US to ensure no further violence flared as Mr Biden was officially announced as the winner of November’s election.
Mr Biden said Trump incited “a mob to attack the Capitol”, adding: “Don’t dare call them protesters. They were a riotous mob. Insurrectionists. Domestic terrorists.”
He said the horror was “one of the darkest days in the history of our nation” and “an unprecedented assault on our democracy”.
He added: “No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matters protesters, they wouldn’t have been treated very, very differently than the mob of thugs that stormed the Capitol. That is unacceptable.”
Trump’s transport secretary Elaine Chao became the first of his cabinet to resign in disgust. John Costello, the Commerce Department’s deputy assistant secretary for intelligence and security, also quit. National security adviser Robert O’Brien, his deputy Matt Pottinger and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell were also said to be considering it.
Ex-White House chief of staff John Kelly said he was “horrified” by Wednesday’s violence, adding: “That’s not us... This is an attack on our democracy, our way of life.”
Republicans who had fought Biden’s certification removed their objections and cabinet members held talks on steps to remove Trump.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney called the attack “an insurrection incited by the
President of the
US”. Democrat Dem Seth Moulton M urged imp eachmen ment and th the 25th a amendment. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also called for Trump’s swift removal, saying he committed a “seditious act”.
The highest-ranking Democrat, Senator Chuck Schumer, said Trump should not be allowed to stay in the White House even a day longer. He said: “If the Vice President and the Cabinet refuse to stand up, Congress should reconvene to impeach the president.” Impeachment would bar Trump from running for President again.
The 25th amendment can remove a president “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office”. Some experts argue Trump has met those standards.
Boris Johnson condemned Trump, saying: “So far as he encouraged people to storm the Capitol and so far as the President consistently has cast doubt on the outcome of a free and fair election I believe that is completely wrong.
“I unreservedly condemn encouraging people to behave in the disgraceful way that they did.”
Ex-Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames, grandson of Trump’s idol Winston Churchill, tweeted directly at the
One of the darkest days in the history of our nation, an assault on democracy
JOE BIDEN CONDEMNS CAPITOL RIOTS INCITED BY TRUMP
President: “This is your fault, you repulsive maniac.”
Trump committed to an “orderly transition” of power after Mr Pence finally declared Mr Biden winner. Trump made his announcement on the Twitter account of deputy communications chief Dan Scarvino after his own was suspended.
His 4am rant said: “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20.” He went on: “While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.” Four died in Wednesday’s clash, including US Air Force veteran Ashli Babbit, shot by police after climbing through a smashed window. Another woman and two men died from “medical emergencies”.
Pipe bombs, guns and Molotov cocktails were all found nearby.
Rioters smashed through police barricades to interrupt the certification of the election results after Trump continued unfounded claims of election fraud.