‘Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress’: From Modi to Trudeau, world leaders condemn violence
A chaotic scene unfolded at the Capitol as supporters of President Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and various confrontations with police. Several police officers sustained injuries, while one woman was confirmed dead after being shot in the chest.
New Delhi: The chaotic and violent scene unfolded at the Capitol on Wednesday as supporters of President Donald 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. Multiple officers were injured in the scuffle.
Here is what PM Modi said
“Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests,” he tweeted.
Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2021
Here is what Boris Johnson said
Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021
Former President Bill Clinton took to Twitter on Wednesday to condemn the violence at the US seat of government, calling it “an unprecedented assault on our Capitol, our Constitution, and our country.
Today we faced an unprecedented assault on our Capitol, our Constitution, and our country.
The 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.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021
I have always believed that America is made up of good, decent people. I still do.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021
If that’s who we really are, we must reject today’s violence, turn the page, and move forward together—honoring our Constitution, remaining committed to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021
Here is what Barack Obama said:
Former President Barack Obama has said violence at the Capitol, was “incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election”.
Obama said the riot at the seat of the US Congress was “a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation. But we would be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise.”
He blamed the Republican party and “the accompanying media ecosystem” for denying that Joseph Biden won the presidential election in a race that was not close.
He said Republican leaders have a choice to “keep stoking the raging flames” or “choose reality” to “take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames”.
Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021
Here is what Former US President George W Bush said
Former US President George W Bush on Wednesday (local time) called “insurrection” at the Capitol a “sickening, heartbreaking sight” and said this is how election results are disputed in a banana republic, not our democratic republic.
“Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our nation’s government 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,” the former President said in a statement.
“President George W Bush said that the Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation. In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law,” George W Bush Presidential Center wrote in a tweet.
Bush, not mentioning anyone’s name, lambasted “some political leaders” for their behaviour since the election, saying “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.”
“The violent assault on the Capitol – and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes,” Bush said in a statement.
— George W Bush↙️ (@real_GeorgeBush) January 6, 2021
As an unprecedented and violent situation unfolded at the US Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, several of US President Donald Trump’s supporters reiterated his claims that the recently-concluded presidential election was ‘stolen’, and demanded their ‘voices to be heard’.
A chaotic scene unfolded at the Capitol as supporters of President Trump swarmed the building to protest the Electoral College vote, forcing a lockdown and various confrontations with police. Several police officers sustained injuries, while one woman was confirmed dead after being shot in the chest.
The protesters managed to overpower the law enforcement officers and swarmed the House and Senate chambers, leading to the evacuation of several Congressional buildings.
Several lawmakers slammed Trump for inciting violence, with some calling for his immediate impeachment and removal.