Washington [US], January 7 (ANI): As violent protests broke out in Washington near the US Capitol building, President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) urged the protesters to abstain from violence and support law and order.
Taking to Twitter, Trump urged the people to remain peaceful and support the Capitol police and law enforcement, after his supporters broke in the Capitol in an attempt to try to overturn the results of the presidential election.
“Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!” he tweeted.
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!” he said in another tweet.
Meanwhile, Democrat Representative Chellie Pingree blamed the chaos on Trump, adding that he was determined to undermine the peaceful transfer of power.
“Office buildings in the Capitol complex have been evacuated. This unprecedented lawlessness was incited by our outgoing President because he is determined to undermine the peaceful transfer of power,” she tweeted.
Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger called the protests a ‘coup attempt’ and slammed Trump.
“You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster,” he tweeted.
A crowd of Trump supporters estimated to be in the thousands travelled to Washington on Wednesday to pressure lawmakers and Vice President Pence to overturn the results of the election. Pence noted earlier in the day that he does not have the power to object to electors, reported The Hill.
Protesters could be seen pushing against metal fences, and police using the fences to push protesters back, while other officers reached over the top to club people trying to cross their lines.
In some instances, law enforcement officers were seen deploying pepper spray, while the use of flash bangs and tear gas was also witnessed, reported CNN.
Fox News reported citing a congressional source that the Cannon House Office Building and Madison Library of Congress Building were briefly evacuated because of a bomb threat after several suspicious packages were reportedly found in the area.
The development comes as scores of Republicans have pledged to challenge the Electoral College’s vote for Biden when Congress convenes for a joint session on Wednesday.
Trump directs National Guard, federal services to assist response in US Capitol
After outgoing US President Donald Trump‘s supporters staged violent protests at the US Capitol in Washington, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced that Trump has directed the National Guard and other federal protective services to assist in responding to the chaotic situation.
Taking to Twitter, McEnany said: “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.”
The entire DC National Guard has been activated by the Department of Defense following the pro-Trump mob breaching the Capitol, reported CNN.
“The DC Guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District. Acting Secretary Miller has been in contact with Congressional leadership, and Secretary McCarthy has been working with the DC government. The law enforcement response will be led by the Department of Justice,” said Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesman.
Multiple officers have been injured with at least one transported to the hospital, multiple sources told CNN.
Biden urges Trump to publicly condemn supporters after chaotic situation at US Capitol
US President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) called on President Donald Trump to appear on national television and condemn his supporters after they breached the US Capitol amid violent protests.
“The words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad that president is. At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite. Therefore, I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege,” Biden said during an address from Wilmington, Delaware.
The President-elect said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ that the nation had come to such a ‘dark moment’, and called the protests an ‘insurrection’.
“At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times, an assault on the citadel of liberty, the capitol itself, an assault on the people’s representatives, the Capitol Hill police, sworn to protect them, and the public servants, who work at the heart of our republic,” he said.
“President Trump, step up!” Biden added.
He also said that the work of the next four years must be for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“Today’s reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile and to preserve it requires people of good will,” he said.
A chaotic and violent scene unfolded at the Capitol on Wednesday as supporters of President Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and various confrontations with police, reported The hill.
Rioters overpowered police and broke into the Capitol to protest as a joint session of Congress convened to certify President-elect Joe Biden‘s win.
Some rioters broke into the Senate chamber, with one getting up on the dais and yelling “Trump won that election”, according to The Hill.
Several lawmakers have called on Trump to condemn the actions of his supporters.
The development comes as scores of Republicans have pledged to challenge the Electoral College’s vote for Biden when Congress convenes for a joint session on Wednesday. (ANI)
