World leaders shocked at U.S. political unrest, express faith in system

Washington, Jan. 7, 2021

World leaders expressed shock at political unrest in the United States (U.S.) Wednesday which saw supporters of President Donald Trump storm the Capitol building in Washington DC.
Nonetheless, many also said they had faith in the resilience of the nation’s democratic institutions.
European Parliament President David Sassoli spoke of “deeply concerning scenes from the U.S. Capitol tonight.”
“Democratic votes must be respected,” Sassoli wrote in a tweet, adding: “We are certain the U.S. will ensure that the rules of democracy are protected.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the violence in Washington an assault on American democracy.
“In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege. This is an unseen assault on U.S. democracy, its institutions and the rule of law,” he wrote on Twitter.
“This is not America. The election results of Nov. 3 must be fully respected.”
Calling Wednesday’s scenes in Washington “a shock,” European Council chief Charles Michel also said that “we trust the U.S. to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden.”
Canadians are “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the events in Washington DC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, calling the storming of the Capitol an “attack on democracy in the United States.”
“Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people,” Trudeau tweeted on Wednesday evening.
In the U.S., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the “unacceptable” storming of the Capitol. “Lawlessness and rioting — here or around the world — is always unacceptable.”
Former U.S. president George W Bush spoke of watching “scenes of mayhem” in disbelief and dismay.
“It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic.
“I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement,” he said in a statement tweeted by The Bush Center.
Bush’s predecessor Bill Clinton said that the Wednesday’s assault “was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in our system, and pitting Americans against one another.
“The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers, including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost.”
Fellow Democratic former president Barack Obama called the Wednesday violence “incited” by Trump “a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation.”
He told Republican leaders they had a choice: “They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the scenes unfolding in Washington were shocking. “The outcome of this democratic election must be respected,” he wrote on Twitter.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of “disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress.” In a tweet, he pointed out that “the United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called the events “utterly horrifying.”
“The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations.
“I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay,” Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin wrote.
Nordic leaders condemned the violent scenes. “Every moment now brings a new impossible from Washington: there is an incredible nightmare of democracy going on.
“It is encouraging that there are those who show responsibility beyond party lines,” Finnish President Sauli Niinisto tweeted.
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted: “Unbelievable scenes from Washington D.C. This is a totally unacceptable attack on democracy.”
Austria’s federal president, Alexander Van der Bellen, was one of several European officials to express their concern at the violence.
“It is with deep concern that I watch the populist, anti-democratic attack on the Capitol in #Washington, the heart of U.S. democracy,” Van der Bellen tweeted.
In a tweet, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote: “Violence against American institutions is a serious attack on democracy. I condemn it. The will and vote of the American people must be respected.”
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “I am following with great concern what is happening in #Washington. Violence is incompatible with the exercise of political rights and democratic freedoms. I trust in the solidity and strength of the institutions of the United States. #CapitolHill”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that he was “extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C.” But he also sounded an optimistic note: “American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.”
In a Twitter post, Polish President Andrzej Duda meanwhile said that violent protests are an “internal affair” of the U.S. But he added: “Poland believes in the strength of the American democracy.”
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne was “concerned” by scenes at the U.S. Congress.
“I condemn any violence to interfere with democratic processes. This will not impede the transfer of power,
“U.S. institutions are robust & its democratic strength resides in the full breadth of its people who are no part of this violence,” she tweeted.

U.S. National Guard being deployed to Washington amidst protests
The United States (U.S.) National Guard has been deployed to the capital, Washington after pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol Building to protest the results of the country’s November presidential election, according to the White House press secretary.
“At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services.
“We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany wrote in a Tweet.
The U.S. Capitol building is on lockdown and the debate over whether to certify the results of the November U.S. presidential election, which president-elect Joe Biden won, was halted after protesters entered the building.
U.S. lawmakers went into hiding in the building as protesters entered both chambers of Congress.
The protesters support President Donald Trump’s claims that there was widespread election fraud during the Nov. 3 presidential elections.

Trump in damage control after supporters breach Capitol Hill

US. President Donald Trump has taken to Twitter, to execute damage control after his supporters invaded the Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Congress was meeting to certify the election of Joe Biden when thousands of Trump’s supporters breached the building, forcing a lockdown with lawmakers inside.
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence!
“Remember, WE are the Party of Law and Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue.
“Thank you!,” the president tweeted.
In a similar tweet at the start of the breach earlier, Trump pleaded with the protesters to “support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement”.
“They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!” he wrote.
The president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, echoed her father’s appeal, tweeting that “any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable”.
“The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful,” she said.
Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the electoral college vote debate in the building, also asked Trump supporters to leave the Capitol immediately and stop the violence.
“This attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mike Pence tweeted.
Reports say the Federal Protective Service and Secret Service are responding to assist the U.S. Capitol Police.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, has requested the help of the National Guard to secure the Capitol, according to sources.

Trump to supporters: You have to go home now

U.S. President Donald Trump told his supporters “to go home now” hours after they stormed the U.S. Capitol.
“I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us,” Trump said in a one-minute video posted on social media.
“But you have to go home now, we have to have peace, we have to have law and order,” he added.
Trump had come under increasing pressure to call on the protesters to leave the grounds of the Capitol and denounce the action.
He repeated his baseless allegations that the election was “fraudulent,” claims with which he riled up crowds earlier in the day.
“We love you, you’re very special,” he said in the clip, addressing his supporters in the nation’s capital, which included a melange of right-wing groups such as QAnon supporters and militia members.

Pence, Biden say violence at U.S. Capitol ‘must stop now’

Vice President Mike Pence says the violence must end after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol.
“The violence and destruction taking place at the U.S. Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now,” he tweeted.
“Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building,” he added.
In a second post, Pence said “those involved would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Pence was earlier presiding over a joint Congress session to certify the results of the November presidential election.
He had defied Trump’s efforts to overturn his loss, saying he could not claim “unilateral authority” to reject the electoral votes of states that Biden won.
Trump lashed out at Pence afterwards, tweeting that he “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.”
Similarly, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has said that the chaos at the U.S. Capitol “borders on sedition and it must end now.”
Meanwhile, the mayor of the U.S. capital, Muriel Bowser has issued a 6 p.m. curfew after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building.
“Today, I’m ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7,” Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote on Twitter.

U.S. congresswoman says ‘drawing up’ articles to impeach Trump

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar said she was “drawing up” articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump after masses of angry pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday.
“I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment,” the Democratic congresswoman wrote on Twitter.
“Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate,” she added.
Hundreds of demonstrators breached security and scaled the steps of the building where lawmakers were due to certify president-elect Joe Biden’s win in the November election.
Hours earlier, Trump riled up his supporters repeating baseless allegations of election fraud and encouraged them to march to the Capitol.
The Senate and House of Representatives abruptly called off their sessions, where they had been debating Republican challenges to results in U.S. states that Biden won, as the building went into lockdown.
Congress reconvened in the evening, with senators from both sides of the aisle condemning the violence and vowing to complete the certification process.

Melania Trump’s chief of staff resigns

Stephanie Grisham, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff, says she is resigning effective immediately.
A longtime associate of Mrs Trump, Grisham was also a former White House spokeswoman.
She said it had been an honour to serve the Trump administration.
Grisham gave no reasons for her unexpected move.
It remained unclear whether her departure was related to the storming of the Capitol by supporters of outgoing president Donald Trump.

McConnell says Senate ‘will not be intimidated’ as Congress resumes

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that the U.S. Senate “will not be intimidated” as Congress resumed hours after masses of angry pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol and forced a halt in the process.
“The United States Senate will not be intimidated, we will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs or threats,” McConnell said from the Senate floor.
The majority leader said the Senate would “discharge our duty under the Constitution and for our nation, and we are going to do that tonight.”
McConnell went to say that those who attempted to obstruct the Congress “failed.”
“We will certify the winner of the 2020 presidential election. Criminal behaviour will never dominate the United States Congress,” McConnell said.