World Leaders React To U.S. Political Unrest, Invasion Of Capitol Building
…One Female Trump’s Supporter Shot Dead
Several US lawmakers have demanded the immediate removal of President Donald Trump from office, alleging that he incited his supporters who stormed the Capitol in an unprecedented incident that has dented democracy in the country.
Thousands of pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday stormed the US Capitol, interrupting a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were set to certify president-elect Joe Biden’s win.
“As duly-elected members of Congress, we have the awesome responsibility to report the certification of the Electoral College on January 6 as outlined in the Constitution. Today, President Trump attempted to prevent us from completing this responsibility and disrupted democracy,” Congressman Steven Horsford said.
His words were echoed by dozens of other lawmakers.
“For the first time since the War of 1812, the United States Capitol was breached today. The violence and insurrection that I witnessed was in direct conflict with the ideals and principles that uphold our democratic institutions, and they are unprecedented in modern times,” Horsford said.
“After today’s violence, I have no other choice but to fulfil my own Constitutional responsibility and call for President Trump’s removal. President Trump must be impeached and removed from office immediately,” he said.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer called for Articles of Impeachment against Trump. He also urged vice president Mike Pence and members of the US Cabinet to use the 25th Amendment of the Constitution to remove the president from office as quickly as possible.
“Let’s be clear about what happened here. The president of the United States sent a mob of domestic terrorists down Pennsylvania Avenue to attack and take over the US Capitol in order to stop the certification of an election that he lost badly,” Blumenauer said, adding, “This man needs to be removed immediately and I am hopeful he will face further consequences for his actions.”
The 25th Amendment, adopted more than 50 years ago in the wake of President Kennedy’s assassination, provides a mechanism for the succession of the president for his or her replacement in the event he or she proves unfit to serve.
Under the amendment, the vice president and a majority of either the cabinet or some other body designated by Congress may remove the president from office.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is the result of years of collaboration on the part of the Republican Party, who have aided and abetted Trump’s criminal attempts to destroy our republic, and the cause of democracy around the world,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
“All leaders should denounce this coup. And the President should be impeached and removed from office for his open sedition,” she said.
According to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the acts of “domestic terrorism” at the Capitol makes it clear that Trump is a “grave threat to our democracy who must immediately be removed from office”.
“By actively inciting a violent insurrection, he has endangered the lives of members of Congress and staff, and once again demonstrated his contempt for democratic rule of law and the will of the American people,” she said.
Asserting that Trump presents a clear and direct threat to the democracy and national security, Pressley said, “Our nation cannot afford one more day with him in office. As such, Trump must immediately be impeached by the House of Representatives and removed from office by the United States Senate.”
Congressman Jimmy Gomez also demanded that Trump be removed from office as he called on Congress to finish certifying the 2020 presidential election results immediately.
“If vice president Mike Pence and the Trump cabinet lack the sound judgement and moral fortitude to exercise the 25th Amendment, I respectfully call on my House Judiciary Committee colleagues to quickly introduce articles of impeachment against the president,” he said.
“President Trump must be removed from office immediately. He is unfit to lead the nation,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning.
Meanwhile, 17 House Judiciary Democrats in a statement called on Vice President Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
“President Trump is a rogue commander-in-chief who represents a credible threat to our national security, our democratic institutions and the people of this country,” said Congressman Anthony Brown.
“Today, Americans and people around the globe witnessed the shameful display of the president encouraging a mob to incite rebellion and overturn the results of a free and fair election. President Trump has once again betrayed his oath of office and demonstrated his extreme unfitness to lead. We cannot have a man actively orchestrating sedition leading our nation’s government for another fourteen days, let alone giving orders to our men and women in uniform,” he said.
Brown said as the world’s most powerful democracy, the US cannot turn a blind eye to Trump’s dangerous behaviour to undermine the constitution and subvert the will of the American people.
“We cannot wait until January 20. Donald Trump is a subversive and must be removed from office,” he said.
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and Congressman Don Beyer also called for the immediate impeachment of Trump and the expulsion of those members of Congress who continue to stand in the way of the certification of the free and fair election.
Meanwhile, 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 Foireign 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.
Consequently, a woman who was shot inside the Capitol by law officers, was one of the Trump supporters, who invaded the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.
The unidentified woman later died in hospital.
The U.S. Capitol
