A mob of violent protesters made its way into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, forcing police to evacuate lawmakers and delaying the constitutional process to affirm President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election.
Here are some of reactions from around the United States and the world:
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
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
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg
Unbelievable scenes from Washington D.C. This is a totally unacceptable attack on democracy. A heavy responsibility now rests on President Trump to put a stop to this.
— Erna Solberg (@erna_solberg) January 6, 2021
Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney
Shocking & deeply sad scenes in Washington DC - we must call this out for what it is: a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching!
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 6, 2021
We hope for restoration of calm. pic.twitter.com/1OdQYEB35K
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
Horrible images from Washington D.C. Dear @realDonaldTrump, recognise @JoeBiden as the next president today.
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) January 6, 2021
Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs
In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) January 6, 2021
This is an unseen assault on US democracy, its institutions and the rule of law.
This is not America. The election results of 3 November must be fully respected.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 6, 2021
President Donald Trump
At least two of his tweets were taken down by Twitter (and showing as “no longer available”) for violating the social media platform’s rules. As of Wednesday night, the only one that remained was this:
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Trump had encouraged the “protesters” hours before, and refused to condemn the situation afterward. In a recorded video message, he called the rioters “special” and said, “We love you.”
Vice President Mike Pence
We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms. We grieve the loss of life in these hallowed halls, as well as the injuries suffered by those who defended our Capitol today.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 7, 2021
President-Elect Joe Biden
Through war and strife, America has endured much. And we will endure here and prevail now. pic.twitter.com/OvNOV0ogWG
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris
I join President-elect @JoeBiden in calling for the assault on the Capitol and our nation’s public servants to end, and as he said, “allow the work of democracy to go forward.”
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 6, 2021
Former President Barack Obama
Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021
Former President George W. Bush
Former President George W. Bush condemned "the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election," saying the pro-Trump insurrection "could could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation."
— NPR (@NPR) January 6, 2021
The Latest: https://t.co/f1vQ5swqbs pic.twitter.com/JMXQlANo5Z
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
.@SenSchumer and I are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol grounds immediately. pic.twitter.com/z6D8qb6bpe
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 6, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
My statement from earlier today: pic.twitter.com/aoUN17dXi4
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 6, 2021
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (in a joint statement with former Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder)
Governor Whitmer and Governor Snyder Call on Americans to Pray for Unity, Healing: pic.twitter.com/CPLmkXGiJQ
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) January 7, 2021
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam
Let me be clear: Virginia will be there for as long as it takes to protect our nation’s capital and ensure the peaceful transfer of power.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 7, 2021
Ready my full statement: https://t.co/Uad8PjVEaT
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky
It is one thing to be angry. It is another to focus one’s anger in a constructive way. That hasn’t happened today, to say the least. We simply cannot destroy the Constitution, our laws, and the electoral college in the process.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 6, 2021
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois
I have spent my entire adult life defending our Constitution and people’s rights to peacefully demonstrate. I never thought I’d need to defend democracy from an attempted, violent overthrow in our own nation’s Capitol.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) January 6, 2021
I will not yield to those who seek to harm our democracy.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts
The violence at the Capitol today was an attempted coup and act of insurrection egged on by a corrupt President to overthrow our democracy.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 6, 2021
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon
The building is now secure, and Senators are heading back to the chamber to complete our democratic duties. We will not let violent insurrection derail our democracy. The votes will be counted, and the American people's choice will become president on January 20. pic.twitter.com/gtwXo3JWsX
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 7, 2021
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina
I could not agree more with President-elect Biden’s statement to the nation.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 6, 2021
Time to retake the Capitol, end the violence, & stop the madness.
Time to move forward in governing our nation.
Our differences are real but the love of our nation overwhelms our differences.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California
Hi folks, my staff and I are safe. Thanks to the Capitol Police.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 6, 2021
A violent mob won’t stop us from upholding our constitutional duty to certify the election.
This is a moment when everyone must decide whether our democracy is worth protecting.
I believe it is.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota
Thanks to all who are putting themselves on the line to protect our democracy. I’m committed to finishing the job we started today, something I just said to the senators. Everyone agrees. We’ll do that as soon as it is safe. Anarchy will not prevail. Democracy will.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 6, 2021
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas
Violence and anarchy are unacceptable. We are a nation of laws.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 6, 2021
This needs to end now. https://t.co/zyrFUFYZm1
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Michigan
President Trump is wholly unfit to serve as commander-in-chief.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 7, 2021
After today's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol incited by the president, he should either resign, be impeached again by Congress or removed by the Cabinet under the 25th Amendment.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California
What is unfolding is unacceptable and un-American. It has got to stop.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 6, 2021
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas
Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 6, 2021
The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence—from Left or Right— is ALWAYS wrong.
And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support.
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana
United States Capitol Police saved my life.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 6, 2021
Attacks on law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs are never acceptable. Period.
We can passionately protest without being violent.
Rep. William Timmons, R-South Carolina
I fundamentally believe that everyone has the right to peacefully protest and exercise their First Amendment rights. But let me be clear: storming the Capitol steps, breaking police barricades, and disobeying law enforcement orders are not the same thing.
— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) January 6, 2021
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida
There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill. This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 6, 2021
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio
My staff and I are safe.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) January 6, 2021
The violence at the Capitol needs to end now.
The lives of countless workers – journalists, staff, and Capitol Police are being put at risk by this attack on our democracy.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee
To the protestors that have breached the Capitol building: you are disrupting the democratic process. You should be ashamed of yourself. This is violence. This is a crime. It must stop.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 6, 2021
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California
Mr. @VP, President Trump cannot defend our country or her ideals. For the sake of the continuity of democracy, you must lead an invocation of the 25th Amendment and remove Donald Trump from power. We, as leaders in a democracy cannot let the experiment of self-governance perish.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 7, 2021
And a few more, compiled by the Associated Press:
Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne:
“Canada is deeply shocked by the situation in Washington, D.C. The peaceful transition of power is fundamental to democracy — it must continue and it will. We are following developments closely and our thoughts are with the American people.”
National security adviser Robert O’Brien:
“Violence has absolutely no place in our democracy. I applaud the men and women of law enforcement and the National Guard, who are working to restore order and protect our institutions. Our country is better than what we saw today at our Capitol.”
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska:
“Today, the United States Capitol — the world’s greatest symbol of self-government — was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard — tweeting against his Vice President for fulfilling the duties of his oath to the Constitution. Lies have consequences. This violence was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the President’s addiction to constantly stoking division.”
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons:
“The outgoing president incited violence in an attempt to retain power, and any elected leader defending him is violating their oath to the Constitution and rejecting democracy in favor of anarchy. Anyone indulging conspiracy theories to raise campaign dollars is complicit. Vice President Pence, who was evacuated from the Capitol, should seriously consider working with the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to preserve democracy.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo:
“This is the final chapter of an incompetent, cruel, and divisive administration that has trampled on the Constitution and the rule of law at every turn, and we won’t let President Trump, the members of Congress who enable him, or the lawless mob that stormed our nation’s Capitol steal our democracy. The election results are clear and the will of the American people will be carried out.”
Thomas Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
“The attacks against our nation’s Capitol Building and our democracy must end now. The Congress of the United States must gather again this evening to conclude their Constitutional responsibility to accept the report of the Electoral College.”
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:
“We are witnessing one of the greatest assaults on our democracy since the Civil War. Today’s attempted coup has been years in the making as Donald Trump consistently spews venom, conspiracies, hate and lies to his supporters. They are carrying out his wishes, and far too many Republican lawmakers have enabled and even encouraged this violent threat to our republic.”
Rep. Liz Cheney, Republican from Wyoming:
“We just had a violent mob assault the Capitol in an attempt to prevent those from carrying out our Constitutional duty. There is no question that the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob, the President addressed the mob. He lit the flame.”
Former President Bill Clinton:
“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. 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. The election was free, the count was fair, the result is final. We must complete the peaceful transfer of power our Constitution mandates.”
We’ll continue to update this report as reactions continue coming in.