Four people died while more than a dozen law enforcers were injured during the riot
The U.S. Congress certified the election victory of Joe Biden after a long day full of drama that saw pro-Trump protesters taking over the Capitol Building and entering the offices. Vice President Mike Pence eventually announced Joe Biden as the victor at 3:40 AM. More than a dozen law enforcers were injured as well. President-Elect Biden will be sworn in on the 20th of January.
Four people died during the incident including a woman who was shot by the police. According to officials, the woman was a part of the group trying to enter the house while it was in session. A plain-clothed officer discharged a weapon. The woman was taken to the hospital but could not be saved.
Build up to the events
The certification of the election results has been a formality in the U.S. for the longest time. However, President Donald Trump refused to concede and maintained that he was robbed of a second term citing election fraud in states where he lost. After losing no less than five dozen legal challenges in U.S. courts, Donald Trump turned to Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the elections by accepting certain electors and refusing others. A large number of Republican congressmen and some senators also were in favor of the move. However, Pence refused to take any such step and followed the norm, bringing any last hope for Trump to cling on to power.
Protestors out of control
A large number of Trump supporters were present in Washington D.C. to protest against the results of the elections. Riled up by constant rhetoric by the outgoing president about election fraud, some of them turned violent and entered the capital building. Some of them allegedly were also carrying weapons. The law enforcement officials showed great restraint and did not resort to the use of power. The patience shown averted a major incident where dozens of people could have been hurt.
Shock among politicians, foreign leaders
The events of the day left everyone in shock and disbelief. Such a blatant act of vandalism has never been seen the American history. The outrage was not just from the U.S. but also from other nations.
Joe Biden was clearly shocked by the events. “At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times,” Joe Biden said. “This is not dissent, its disorder, it’s chaos and it borders on sedition and it must end now.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was “furious” and “sad” about the developments at the Capitol and regretted that Trump did not concede. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the “armed mob incited by an incumbent president.”
“This is an assault on democracy. President Trump and several members of Congress bear substantial responsibility for developments,” tweeted Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called it a “dark period in the American history”, and said that Trump was guilty of “inciting insurrection”.
Trump concedes, perhaps!
Donald Trump shot some tweets in support of the protestors which led Twitter to suspend his account until he removes those tweets. Later in the day, Trump said that the inauguration of Biden as President will take place on January 20th, as per the schedule.