While he has less than two weeks left in the White House, the dramatic storming of the Capitol building following a rally where Mr Trump urged tens of thousands of supporters to march there in protest because the November election had been “stolen” has reportedly caused great concern among his inner circle.It came as Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College was certified, after passing 270 electoral votes, confirming he will be the 46th President of the United States.In a statement, President Trump said he agrees to an orderly transition of power but fails to accept defeat or congratulate his successor.“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 20th. I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. 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!”.
Key allies turned on Mr Trump, his social media accounts were frozen and the coup attempt drew condemnation from across the US and the world.Four people died and at least three pipe bombs were discovered in the chaos and Washington DC imposed an overnight curfew.Members of cabinet were discussing the option of using Amendment 25 for the first time to try to prise Mr Trump out of office early, according to multiple media reports.It says that if the President becomes unable to perform his duties, he will automatically be replaced by the Vice President with the backing of Congress.The fact his most senior colleagues were talking about how to show him the door early highlights the deep gloom and distress within the Republican party following yesterday’s insurrection.Senior Republicans moved quickly to condemn the riots and Mr Trump’s role in inciting the attack on the Capitol, with former President George W. Bush saying: “this is how election results are disputed in a banana republic”.
“I am appalled by the reckless behaviour 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 was joined by former presidents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton in slamming Mr Trump.Mr Obama called it “a moment of great dishonour and shame”.Mr Clinton said the insurrection was driven by “poison politics”.“We must reject today’s violence, turn the page, and move forward together — honouring our Constitution, remaining committed to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” he said.
Capitol under attack
Mr Carter described the events as a “national tragedy” and “not who we are as a nation”.And Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, went straight for Mr Trump’s throat.“What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States,” Senator Romney said.Even Republican and Trump supporter Mike Gallagher, a Congressman from Wisconsin, turned on the President.“We are witnessing absolute banana republic crap in the United States Capitol right now. @realDonaldTrump, you need to call this off,” he posted on Twitter.
Democrats including Californian Congressman Ted Lieu called on Mike Pence directly and publicly to invoke the 25th against his boss.“Dear @VP @Mike_Pence: You need to start the 25th Amendment. @realDonaldTrump is detached from reality,” he wrote.Massachusetts Democrat Congressman Seth Moulton said: “Trump is directly responsible for this insurrection and violence. He needs to be removed from office immediately. It is the Constitutional responsibility of Vice President Pence and the cabinet to exercise the power granted them by the 25th amendment.”
Other critics suggested impeaching Mr Trump again.“Donald Trump is a danger to our democracy. I continue to support his impeachment and removal from office, and am looking carefully at new articles of impeachment being drafted and offered by my colleagues,” said Democrat Virginia Congressman Donald Beyer.As recently as two days ago, the suggestion that the ever-loyal Mike Pence might move against his President would have been unthinkable.But Mr Trump spent much of that time taking public shots at Mr Pence, saying he “wouldn’t like him so much” if he didn’t do something to reject the “certification” hearings in Congress for Joe Biden.
It was a cry against Mr Pence that Mr Trump used in front of the heaving, angry crowd that assembled near the White House, when he urged them to go to the Capitol and protest “peacefully and patriotically”.“If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election,” he said.Last night US time, the House of Representatives and the Senate both reconvened just hours after they were ordered to shelter in place in their offices and don gas masks as the rioters stormed through the building as though there were no security measures in place.Mr Pence, who as VP is President of the Senate, declared: “Let’s get back to work”, as Congress reconvened to certify Joe Biden’s election win.
“To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins,” Mr Pence said.“This is still the people’s house. And as we reconvene in this chamber, the world will against witness the resilience and strength of our democracy, for even in the wake of unprecedented violence and vandalism at this Capitol, the elected representatives of the United States have assembled again on the very same day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Pence went on.“So may God bless the lost, the injured, and the heroes forged on this day. May God bless all who serve here and those who protect this place. And may God bless the United States of America. Let’s get back to work.”
Matt Pottinger, the White House deputy national security adviser, last night resigned in protest over the violence in Washington, according to multiple reports.A number of other senior people in Team Trump are reportedly considering resigning, including national security adviser Robert O’Brien and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell.This followed the resignations of a White House deputy press secretary and First Lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham.In a statement, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews expressed disapproval of the rioters. “As someone who worked in the halls of Congress I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today,” Ms Matthews said.“I’ll be stepping down from my role, effective immediately. Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power.”
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