McEnany: Trump Condemns Violent Riot at U.S. Capitol
After a riot took place at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters amid the congressional certification of the presidential election, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that the president condemned the act.
According to a The Hill report, the White House alerted reporters around 5 p.m. Thursday that McEnany would be making an appearance in the briefing room at 5:15 p.m.
President Donald Trump has not made an appearance in more than 24 hours. McEnany read a prepared statement on behalf of the entire White House, including the president.
"The violence we saw yesterday at our nation's capital was appalling, reprehensible, and antithetical to the American way," McEnany said during the briefing.
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She stressed that the president and the administration condemn the riot in the strongest possible terms.
The press secretary continued to say that those inside the building are working to ensure that there will be an orderly transition of power, adding that it is now time for America to unite together to reject the violence that took place in the Capitol.
World Leaders Condemning the Capitol Riot
As the world watched the riot at the U.S. Capitol, international leaders expressed shock and condemned the scenes in Washington, D.C.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that what he saw were disgraceful scenes in the U.S. Congress. Johnson added that the United States stands for democracy worldwide, and it is vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.
According to a Voice of America News report, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed support to Biden. She tweeted that she believes in the strength of U.S. institutions and democracy.
Calls for Trump's Immediate Removal
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the immediate removal of Trump on Thursday after the Capitol's breach.
According to an ABC News report, Pelosi called on Vice President Mike Pence to immediately invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump for what she described as inciting sedition by allegedly encouraging the rioters. If Pence disagrees, Pelosi threatened to start impeachment proceedings.
"That is the overwhelming sentiment of my caucus -- and the American people by the way," Pelosi said in a report.
Pelosi added that she does not think it will take long to get an answer from Pence. She continued to say that she and Schumer have already made their "interest" known to Pence.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden, who has been certified by Congress as the winner of the presidential election, called on Trump to fulfill his oath of defending the Constitution and demand an end to "this siege," according to a VOA News report.
Biden said that what happened in the Capitol was not a protest, but an insurrection. The president-elect further noted that the U.S. democracy is under unprecedented assault, describing it as a disorder. Biden said it must end now.
Related story: Trump Vows 'Orderly Transition' After Biden Certified as Next President