US Capitol violence: Trump concedes defeat, pledges orderly transition of power

US President Donald Trump's supporters breached the US Capitol disrupting lawmakers as they were about to certify Democrat President elect Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

Washington: Hundreds of supporters of US President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol on Wednesday disrupting the lawmakers as they were about to certify Democrat President elect Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

The riot-like situation took place after Trump supporters responded to his call to protest against the loss in November 3, 2020 presidential election. 

Meanwhile, four people died and 52 were arrested, Washington DCs police chief said, while one woman protester was reportedly shot and killed, the other three died after sustaining injuries in the riots.

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07 January 2021

15:35 IST

White House deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger has resigned, according to media reports, joining a number of officials who are leaving the administration of Donald Trump in the wake of violence on Capitol Hill. Pottinger resigned on Wednesday afternoon in response to the President's reaction to a mob of protesters who breached the US Capitol.

15:24 IST

"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," Trump said in his statement after conceding defeat, hinting at a potential 2024 run.

14:57 IST

Trump concedes defeat, pledges "orderly transition" as Joe Biden win cleared.

"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," Donald Trump said in a statement minutes after the US Congress formally certified Biden's victory.

14:43 IST

In a late-night news conference, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J Contee said Wednesday evening said, two pipe bombs were recovered from the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees, as well as a cooler from a vehicle on US Capitol grounds that contained Molotov cocktails.

14:24 IST

Congress accepts Electoral College result, which clears the way for Joe Biden to become the 46th President of the United States. (Reuters)

13:08 IST

Can President Donald Trump be removed from his office before the end of his term? Here's all the possibilities explained.

12:00 IST

President Elect Joe Biden took to Twitter to remind citizens that 'Democfracy is fragile'.

Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile. To preserve it requires people of good will, leaders with the courage to stand up, who are devoted not to pursuit of power and personal interest at any cost, but to the common good.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 7, 2021

11:43 IST

Muriel Bowser Mayor of Washington, DC issued an order to extend the public emergency which had been declared earlier today for a total of 15 days, until and unless provided for by further Mayoral Order.

I have issued Mayor’s Order 2021-003, extending the public emergency declared earlier today for a total of 15 days, until and unless provided for by further Mayoral Order.

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 7, 2021

11:42 IST

US House Republican challenges to Michigan and Nevada election results fail in joint congressional session for lack of support from a senator. 

11:39 IST

Four people died on the US Capitol grounds and 52 people have been arrested, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Contee said. In a late-night news conference, Contee said that 47 of the 52 arrests were related to violations of Mayor Muriel Bowser's 6 PM curfew, with 26 of those involving people arrested on US Capitol grounds. (Reuters)

11:37 IST

This is what the former popular president had to say about the thousands of pro-Trump rioters who stormed the US Capitol, interrupting a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were set to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win. Read here

10:50 IST

Ivanka Trump had faced criticism for calling pro-Trump rioters as ''patriots'' on social networking platform Twitter. She later clarified that violence in US Capitol Hills is unacceptable. Here's what happened

10:49 IST

Leaders around the world condemned the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, expressing shock at the chaos unfolding in a country they once relied upon for global leadership. Read more here

10:36 IST

Donald Trump’s top National Security Council officials are considering resigning after it became clear that the President urged his supporters to storm the US Capitol. Those who are discussing stepping down include National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and his deputy, Matt Pottinger. Also, Chris Liddell, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy coordination, is considering resigning.

10:33 IST

There are two ways to remove a siiting president from office, one is the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution and the other is impeachment followed by a Senate conviction.

In either scenario, Vice President Mike Pence would take over the Presidency until Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021.

10:31 IST

The violence at the US Capitol by the hands of President Donald Trump supporters on Wednesday has prompted some lawmakers to call for his removal from office before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20. (Reuters)

10:27 IST

In a statement Twitter said that Trump`s personal account will be locked for 12 hours as he violated the platform`s violent threats policies and will be permanently suspended if he continues to do so, Xinhua news agency reported. Facebook and Instagram said Trump won`t be able to post for 24 hours. Facebook also removed posts, including a video that Trump posted on the platform in support of the mob descending on the US Capitol. Read more here

10:20 IST

Donald Trump's daughter and his official advisor Ivanka Trump in a tweet wrote that "...Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms".

10:15 IST

Four people died on US Capitol grounds, three from medical emergencies and one from a gunshot wound, DC police say. As many as 52 have been arrested. (Reuters) 

10:12 IST

Four people died on US Capitol grounds, three from medical emergencies and one from a gunshot wound, DC police say. As many as 52 have been arrested. (Reuters) 

10:00 IST

The riots at the Capitol Hill was the culmination of months of false rhetoric around the Nov. 3 election with Trump repeatedly and falsely claiming that the vote was rigged and urged his supporters to help him overturn his loss.The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, addressed thousands of supporters near the White House and told them to march on the Capitol to express their anger at the voting process. He told his supporters to pressure their elected officials to reject the results, urging them “to fight”.

09:53 IST

After strugging for over three hours, the police managed to clear the Capitol from the invasion before declaring the building secure at around 5:30 PM (2230 GMT). The Trump supporters scuffled with the police and forced their way past metal security barricades, broke windows and scaled walls to enter the Capitol. Some besieged the House of Representatives chamber while lawmakers were inside, banging on its doors. Security officers piled furniture against the chamber’s door and drew their pistols before helping lawmakers escape. (Reuters)

09:22 IST

National Guard troops were deployed after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in a bid to overturn his election defeat. (Reuters)

09:18 IST

Vice President Mike Pence condemns violence at Capitol Hill by President Trump supporters who attempted to block certification of the presidential election results. ‘You did not win. Violence never wins,’ he said. 

09:13 IST

With 93 votes to 6, the US Senate rejects objection to Arizona Electoral Votes. (The Associated Press on Twitter)

09:10 IST

"Joe Biden. He won. He's the legitimate President of the United States," says Lindsey Graham, Senator of South Carolina at the Congress session in Capitol Hill. 

He affirmed, "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were lawfully elected and will become the president and vice president of the United States on January 20."

09:03 IST

Former President Barack Obama accuses Donald Trump of inciting violence at the Capitol, calls on Republicans to speak out in response to the violence.

Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021

09:00 IST

White House deputy press Secretary Sarah Matthews has resigned, reports Reuters.

08:55 IST

Lawmakers resumed the process of formally certifying the Electoral College vote that will make Joe Biden the 46th President of the United States. (Reuters)

08:10 IST

Former Republican President George W Bush says he is 'appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election'. (Reuters)

08:04 IST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concern about events in at Capitol Hill in Washington. Talking to News 1130 Vancouver radio station, Trudeau said, “Obviously we’re concerned and we’re following the situation minute by minute... I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly.”

08:02 IST

Reacting to the scenes in Washington, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison  termed it as “distressing.” Taking to Twitter he wrote: “We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition."

07:54 IST

President-elect Joe Biden denounced the event saying this was not a protest but an "insurrection" and urged that President Trump should ask his supporters to end the 'seige', Biden said in a LIVE address to the media.

"I call on President Trump to go on national television now to... demand an end to this siege," Biden said. "To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate... threatening the safety of duly elected officials? It's not a protest, it's insurrection."

07:47 IST

UK PM Boris Johnson condemned the violence calling it a 'shameful' event.

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

07:43 IST

President Trump may have fuelled his supporters to 'fight' while Speaking at what could be his last rally as the sitting president. About 50 minutes into his speech, some of the supporters began heading toward Capitol Hill, where unprecedented mayhem ensued. (Reuters)

07:39 IST

Facebook too suspends President' Trump's page for 24-hours.

We've assessed two policy violations against President Trump's Page which will result in a 24-hour feature block, meaning he will lose the ability to post on the platform during that time.

— Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) January 7, 2021