Reporting from Reuters
President-elect Joe Biden has called the violent protests on the US Capitol “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the people’s business”.
Mr Biden also demanded that President Donald Trump immediately makes a televised address calling on his supporters to cease the violence that he described as an “unprecedented assault” as pro-Trump protestors violently occupy the US Capitol.
America is so much better than what we’re seeing today.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump was forced to clarify after deleting a tweet calling on “American patriots” to resist violence at the Capitol.
After she was questioned whether she believed the violent protesters were patriots, Ms Trump responded: “No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Trump released a video of his own recently telling protestors “to go home” as well as saying “we love and you are very special."
The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the US Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting against Congress’ formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden’s win.
A spokesperson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that officers from the Federal Protective Service and US Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene.
He said they were requested to assist by US Capitol Police.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted: “The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.
“Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
