January 6 United States Capitol attack

2021 United States Capitol protests
Part of 2020–2021 United States election protests and attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election
File:Jan 6 2021 Pres Trump Rally Live DC Crowd.jpg Crowd at the rally in D.C.
Date	January 5, 2021 – ongoing
Location	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Caused by	Opposition to the Electoral College vote count of the 2020 United States presidential election
Status	Ongoing
Casualties
Death(s)	1
Injuries	Multiple
Arrested	At least 13

On January 5, 2021, supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gathered in Washington, D.C., to protest against the result of the 2020 presidential election and support Trump's demand for Vice President Mike Pence and Congress to reject President-elect Joe Biden's victory. On the morning of January 6 (EST), protestors gathered for the "Save America" rally, a planned event on the Ellipse where attendees heard speeches from President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Rudy Giuliani. The demonstration culminated in a riot, in which the United States Capitol Building was stormed and invaded by Trump supporters. The event occurred after numerous earlier attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the election results had failed.

During his speech Trump instructed his supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol to attempt to ensure that the 2020 election was overturned. Subsequently a pro-Trump mob marched on Congress and eventually stormed the building. Congress was in session at the time, conducting the Electoral College vote count and debating after Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona's fourth congressional district objected to the Electoral College count of Arizona's votes. Protestors broke past security to enter the Capitol, occupying the evacuated Senate chamber while guards drew handguns to prevent entry to the evacuated House floor. Several buildings in the U.S. Capitol complex were evacuated, and all buildings in the complex were subsequently locked down.

An armed standoff took place at the doors to the House chambers. A female intruder was shot by law enforcement inside the Capitol and later died of her injuries. At least one improvised explosive device was reported to have been found on Capitol grounds, and two others nearby at a building containing Republican National Committee offices and at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

In the early afternoon of January 6, Trump denounced Pence as failing to "do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution", despite Pence having no constitutional power to reject Biden's victory. At 4:22 p.m. EST, Trump told his supporters on Twitter to "go home in peace" while describing the rioters as "patriots" and "very special", telling them that he "loved" them and reiterating his false allegations of election fraud. That evening, Twitter placed a twelve-hour lock on Trump's Twitter account and removed three of his tweets for violations of their civic integrity policy after he made posts openly condoning supporters who violently stormed Congress.

The riots and storming of the Capitol have been described as insurrection, sedition, and domestic terrorism. Some sources have labeled it as an attempted coup d'état. The incident was the first time the Capitol had been overrun since the 1814 burning of Washington by the British during the War of 1812.

Background

The 2020 United States presidential election, held on November 3, 2020, was won by the Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who defeated the incumbent Republican president Donald Trump. Before, during and after the counting of votes, Trump and other Republicans attempted to overturn the election, falsely alleging widespread voter fraud and trying to deny results.

With Congress scheduled to meet on January 6, 2021, to count the results of the Electoral College vote, Trump announced plans for a rally ahead of the event to continue his protest on the validity of several states' election results. On December 18, Trump announced "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!" Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested on December 31, 2020, for District of Columbia National Guard troops be deployed to support local police during the anticipated demonstrations. She wrote in her request that the guards would not be armed, and that they would be primarily responsible for "crowd management" and traffic direction, allowing police to focus on security concerns. Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller approved the request on January 4, 2021. The approval activated 340 troops, with no more than 114 to be deployed at any given time.

Trump had spent previous days suggesting that Vice President Pence should reject President-elect Joe Biden's victory, an act that is not within Pence's constitutional power, and he repeated this call in his speech on the morning of January 6. The same afternoon, Pence released a letter to Congress in which he said he would not oppose Biden's victory.

Events in the District of Columbia

January 5, 2021

Thousands of attendees gathered in Freedom Plaza on January 5, 2021, in advance of protests planned for the week. On Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning (EST), at least ten people were arrested, several on weapons charges.

January 6, 2021

"Save America" rally

File:Donald Trump Save America March flier.jpg

A flier released on January 5, the day prior to the event, promoting the rally.

Protestors at Union Station on Wednesday morning

File:Jan 6 2021 Pres Trump Rally Live DC Rudy Speaking closeup.jpg

Rudy Giuliani speaking to protesters at the Ellipse

On the morning of January 6, 2021 (EST), protestors surrounded Washington Monument to rally. Several people gave speeches on the Ellipse, including Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani and Trump himself. Giuliani addressed the crowd, repeating conspiracy theories that voting machines used in the election were "crooked" and called for "trial by combat." Trump gave a speech from behind a glass barrier, attacking the media and calling for Pence to overturn the election results, something that is not within Pence's constitutional power. Trump urged his supporters to march on the Capitol, where Congress meets:

You'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard today.

At the rally, Trump told his supporters to "fight. We fight like hell. And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore." He declared they would be "going to the Capitol and we’re going to try and give” Republicans "the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country."

At the rally, Trump also stated "we will never concede." Trump's adult sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump also spoke, verbally attacking Republican Congressmen and Senators who were not supporting the effort to change the Electoral College vote, and promising to campaign against them in future primary elections.

Rioters break into Capitol

A Metro Transit Police Department van waits outside the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at 11:28 a.m. on January 6.

File:Video shot by Congressman Dan Kildee D-Flint - via Michael Moore on Facebook Watch.webm

Video shot by congressman Dan Kildee, (and published to Facebook by Michael Moore) inside the US House of Representatives with armed security blocking the doors.

Beginning at approximately 2:15 p.m. EST on January 6, 2021, rioters began an attempt to storm buildings in the U.S. Capitol complex. Some buildings in the complex were evacuated, and rioters broke past security to enter the Capitol, including National Statuary Hall. The storming of the Capitol was organized on pro-Trump far-right social media websites, including Gab and Parler, which featured calls for violence against Congress and served as recruiting centers for weeks for QAnon, the Proud Boys, and other fringe elements. After breaching the security perimeter, most rioters simply walked into the Capitol on foot, others used ropes and makeshift ladders to invade the building and some broke windows to get in.

After the breach, all buildings in the complex were locked down, with no entry or exit from the buildings allowed. Those within the building were asked to move into offices and lock their doors and windows; those outside were advised to "seek cover". Members of Congress inside the House were told to put on gas masks after law enforcement began using tear gas within the building. According to Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, some staff successfully rushed to rescue boxes of sealed electoral college votes from what Senator Merkley said was the threat of them being burned by rioters.

ABC News reported that shots were fired within the Capitol building, and that there was an armed standoff at the front door of the House chambers. After pro-Trump rioters broke into the Capitol, multiple police officers drew their guns inside the House of Representatives chamber and pointed them towards the doors to the chamber, which were barricaded with furniture. An intruder was shot within the Capitol by law enforcement and later died from her injuries. A law enforcement official told the Washington Post that police believe the decedent was unarmed, but the officer who fired the fatal shot did not know that at the time, and police were aware that many of the intruders were carrying concealed weapons. Pro-Trump rioters stormed the offices of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, flipping tables and ripping photos from walls; there was looting in the Capitol. Capitol Police officers reported the building had been "trashed". Observers saw "debris, trash, all in the elevators, things knocked down, posts knocked down" in all parts of the building. Glass windows were broken in the National Statuary Hall. Rioters destroyed Associated Press recording and broadcasting equipment outside the Capitol after chasing away reporters. Multiple officers were injured in the violence at the Capitol.

Response

US Congress after being breached – Video from VOA

Evacuation of Congress – video from VOA

At approximately 2:31 p.m. EST on January 6, 2021, Washington, D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. curfew to go into effect that night. Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia also issued a curfew for nearby Alexandria and Arlington County in Northern Virginia.

Northam sent members of the Virginia National Guard and 200 Virginia State Troopers to support Washington, D.C. law enforcement. Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland also announced that he would send the Maryland State Police and Maryland National Guard. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller decided to deploy the entire 1,100-strong force of D.C. National Guard to quell violence. At approximately 3:45 p.m. EST, Miller spoke with Pence, Pelosi, McConnell and Schumer, and directed the National Guard and other "additional support" to respond to the riot. The order to send in the National Guard, which Trump initially resisted, was approved by Vice President Pence. According to the New York Times, it was "unclear" why it was not Trump who approved the deployment.

Smoke grenades were deployed on the Senate side of the Capitol by Capitol Police working to clear rioters from the building. FBI and Department of Homeland Security agents wearing riot gear entered the Dirksen Senate Office Building around 4:30 p.m. EST.

Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy announced at 4:57 p.m. EST that elements of the New Jersey State Police were being deployed to the District of Columbia at the request of DC officials, and that the New Jersey National Guard was prepared for deployment if necessary. Shortly before 5 p.m. EST, congressional leaders were reportedly being evacuated from the Capitol complex to Fort McNair, a nearby Army base. At around 5:40 p.m. EST, the Sergeant-at-Arms announced that the Capitol had been secured.

Improvised explosive devices

Improvised explosive devices were found in several locations in Washington, D.C. A device suspected to be a pipe bomb was discovered at a building containing Republican National Committee (RNC) offices. Another suspected pipe bomb was found on the grounds of the Capitol complex. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters was evacuated after a suspicious package, later reported to be a homemade bomb, was found. Both the RNC building and DNC headquarters are a few blocks from the Capitol. The devices found at the RNC building and on the Capitol grounds were both safely detonated by bomb squads in the afternoon of January 6. Officials were unsure if the devices were operational.

A vehicle containing a rifle and Molotov cocktails was found near one bomb and a person was arrested.

Aftermath

As, police continued to try to push rioters away from the Capitol, protests continued, some moving out of the Capitol Hill area. Some verbal and physical attacks on reporters were reported, with attackers denigrating media outlets as "fake news".

As of 6:08 p.m. EST, police had arrested at least thirteen people and seized five firearms during the day's events. Six people were hospitalized for injuries related to the events of January 6, including one law enforcement officer.

It was reported that 2,700 troops of the Washington, D.C. National Guard and 650 troops of the Virginia National Guard would be sent to Washington, D.C., on the night of January 6.

Although Mayor Bowser had implemented a 6 p.m. curfew, it went largely ignored, and hundreds of pro-Trump demonstrators remained in the Capitol Hill area. Though "largely outnumbered" by members of various law enforcement groups, NPR reported the rioters "faced no imminent threat of arrest". By 9:30 p.m., DC police arrested 30 people for curfew violations.

Reconvening of Congress

Congress reconvened after the Capitol was cleared, with the Senate resuming its session at 8 p.m. EST. on January 6, 2021. House Speaker Pelosi said that the attack on the Capitol would not "deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden" and that she made the decision to reconvene the same evening after consultations with other House leaders, the Pentagon, the Department of Justice, and Mike Pence. Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the storming of the Capitol a "failed insurrection" and said "we are back at our posts, we will discharge our duty under the Constitution and for our nation. And we're going to do it tonight."

Outside the District of Columbia

State capitols

Multiple U.S. state capitols closed for safety reasons after the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Militia members in Georgia also attempted to storm the Georgia State Capitol, leading to the evacuation of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other officials. By about 3:15 p.m EST on January 6, 2021, it was reported that the majority of the demonstration had disbanded outside of the Georgia Capitol.

Protesters in Kansas stormed into their state capitol in support of the protestors in D.C. A capitol security guard stated that the protesters are allowed in the rotunda. It was later reported that the protestors had obtained a permit allowing them to protest in the capitol building and on the lawn of the building.

Protesters and counter-protesters demonstrated at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. One brief violent incident was reported.

Protestors in Olympia, Washington, made their way onto the front lawn of the Washington Governor's Mansion.

Other US cities

There were also protests in the Los Angeles area.

Canada

Rallies in support of Trump also took place in Canada, with small gatherings in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Reactions

Donald Trump

On January 6, 2021, Trump tweeted at 2:38 p.m. EST, "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!". He had spent previous weeks promoting the Saving America rally. Trump later tweeted at 3:13 p.m. EST, "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!". At 4:22 p.m. EST, Trump issued a video message urging his supporters to "go home in peace" and telling them "we love you, you're very special". He later tweeted "remember this day forever". Shortly after upload, Trump's video message was removed by Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for violating site policies on "civil integrity" and election misinformation. Facebook executive Guy Rosen stated that the video was removed because "it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence." That evening, Twitter locked Trump's account for twelve hours and threatened a permanent suspension for "repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy". Twitter also required him to remove three of his tweets.

Mike Pence

Pence tweeted at 3:35 p.m. EST on January 6, 2021, "This attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law".

Pence spoke to the Senate when they reconvened on the night of January 6, saying, "Today was a dark day in the United States Capitol... To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins."

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

On January 6, 2021, at 4:06 p.m. EST, President-elect Joe Biden addressed the nation from Wilmington, Delaware, calling the events an insurrection and borderline sedition, and said that "our democracy is under unprecedented assault". He called upon Trump to go on national television and demand an end to the protests. Minutes afterward, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris reiterated Biden's comments, writing that the protests were an "assault on the Capitol and our nation's public servants".

Congress

Schumer's speech following Capitol protests

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called upon Trump to "demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately." Pelosi later stated, following her announcement that the electoral vote count would proceed during the evening of January 6, "let us pray that this instigation to violence will provide an epiphany for our country to heal".

On CSPAN, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin said that after his son died on New Year's Eve, he had brought his family to the Capitol, to "show them a peaceful transfer of power". Representative Cori Bush tweeted her intent to introduce a resolution calling for the expulsion of "Republican members of Congress who have incited this domestic terror attack through their attempts to overturn the election".

Republican U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger, among others, condemned the violence and described the events as a "coup attempt." Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the Chair of the House Republican Conference, said "No question the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob, the President addressed the mob. He lit the flame." Representative Mike Gallagher remarked of the riots that he had "not seen anything like this since I deployed to Iraq." Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who had planned to oppose the certification of the electoral vote, announced that she would no longer object to the Electoral College results after witnessing the "disgraceful and un-American" events of January 6. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah stated, "What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States" and part of "an unprecedented attack on our democracy." Congressman Dan Crenshaw called on the protesters to "Stop this bullshit right now."</ref>

Other domestic reactions

All four living former presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter — denounced the storming of the Capitol, and two condemned Trump by name for inciting the violence. Bush, who had infrequently commented on national matters since leaving office in 2009, released a statement saying "this is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic," continuing that he was "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." Obama wrote that "History will rightly remember today's violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president, who has continued to lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation" but that the violence was unsurprising given the two-month campaign by "a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem" to promote a "fantasy narrative" that "has spiraled further and further from reality ... whipped up into a violent crescendo."

Hillary Clinton wrote that "today, domestic terrorists attacked a foundation of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power following free elections. We must reestablish the rule of law and hold them accountable."

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said, "The coup attempt initiated by outgoing President Trump has been despicable".

William Barr, Trump's former attorney general, denounced the violence, calling it "outrageous and despicable". Jim Mattis, a former Marine general and Trump's first secretary of defense, wrote, "Today's violent assault on our Capitol, an effort to subjugate American democracy by mob rule, was fomented by Mr. Trump. His use of the Presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens has been enabled by pseudo political leaders whose names will live in infamy as profiles in cowardice." Mattis wrote that the nation would overcome "this stain" but Trump "will deservedly be left a man without a country." Trump's first homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, condemned the mob attack, as "wrong and illegal" and "un-American" and wrote that Trump was cuplable because he had "undermined American democracy baselessly for months."

Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, after rioters had breached the Capitol grounds, initially expressed her support, remarking on-air that "This is a huge victory for these protesters. They have disrupted the system in an enormous way!" MacCallum later reversed herself, calling the images "stark and so disturbing."

Texas attorney general Ken Paxton retweeted a claim by a conservative writer who asserted the assault on the Capitol was a false flag operation staged by antifa to implicate Trump supporters. Weeks earlier, Paxton filed a failed lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that certified election results in four states be rejected.

Ivanka Trump, the president's eldest daughter, was criticized for addressing the rioters as "American patriots" in a now-deleted tweet publicly urging for the cessation of violence.

The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Texas Republican Party was removed after expressing support for the rioters on Facebook.

Terry Gainer, a former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police and former Senate sergeant-at arms, described the protests as unprecedented in law enforcement, declaring that "this is a much more hateful crowd incited by the president himself. It's definitely something new in our business."

Ted Cruz condemned the protest and urged the people storming the Capitol to stop. He furthermore stated "Violence is always unacceptable. Even when passions run high. Anyone engaged in violence—especially against law enforcement—should be fully prosecuted."

White House resignations

Stephanie Grisham, the chief of staff for First Lady Melania Trump, and Sarah Matthews, the White House Deputy Press Secretary, resigned in protest on the day of the storming of the Capitol.

CNN reported that several Trump aides were considering resigning, including Robert O'Brien, Matt Pottinger, and Chris Liddell.

Support for impeachment or removal

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar and at least six other House Democrats, including Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, called for Trump's immediate impeachment and removal by Congress when it can reconvene. State-level officials who have described Trump's conduct as impeachable include Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford.

Representatives Ted Lieu and Charlie Crist called on Vice President Mike Pence to remove Trump via the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The National Association of Manufacturers also requested Pence to "seriously consider" invoking the 25th Amendment. Governors J. B. Pritzker (D-IL) and Phil Scott (R-VT) called for Trump's removal.

Yoni Appelbaum of the The Atlantic called for the impeachment of Donald Trump a second time. Several conservative commentators, including Rod Dreher, Daniel Larison, and John Podhoretz, expressed their support for the impeachment and removal of Donald Trump. Calling the armed storming of the Capitol an "act of sedition", the Washington Post editorial board wrote that Trump's "continued tenure in office poses a grave threat to U.S. democracy" as well as to public order and national security, and called for Pence to immediately begin the 25th Amendment process to declare Trump "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" so that Pence could serve until Biden's inauguration on January 20.

On the evening of January 6, some Cabinet members were having early discussions about the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump.

International

• Argentina – President Alberto Fernández condemned the "serious events of violence and the overrunning of the Congress that occurred today in Washington, D.C." He further stated that he "trusts that there will be a peaceful transition that respects the popular will and we express our firmest support to President-elect Joe Biden."
• Australia – Prime Minister Scott Morrison released a statement on Twitter calling the scenes "Very distressing..." and saying: "We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition." Similar sentiments were expressed by Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who condemned the violence.
• Austria – Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was "Shocked by the scenes in Washington, D.C." and declared that the protests were "an unacceptable assault on democracy" and that "A peaceful and orderly transfer of power must be ensured."
• Belgium – Prime Minister Alexander de Croo felt "Shock and disbelief at ongoing events at the US Capitol, symbol of American democracy. We trust the strong institutions of the United States will overcome this challenging moment."
• Brazil – President of the Chamber of Deputies said: "Today's serious episode in the United States only increases our responsibility to keep the Chamber of Deputies in Brazil independent". Justice of the Supreme Federal Court and President of the Superior Electoral Court Luís Roberto Barroso tweeted "In this sad episode in the U.S., supporters of fascism showed their real face: anti-democratic and aggressive." He also tweeted that he hoped "American society and institutions react with vigor to this threat to democracy."
• Canada – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that Canada was watching the situation "minute by minute" on the afternoon of January 6.
• Chile – President Sebastián Piñera said that "Chile rejects actions aimed at altering the democratic process in the United States and condemns violence and undue interference with constitutional institutions. Chile relies on the strength of US democracy to guarantee the rule of law and of the state."
• Colombia – President of Colombia Iván Duque said that "we reject the acts of violence seen today during the Electoral College vote counting in the United States Congress and I express my solidarity and support to the honorable members of Congress and to all US institutions".
• Costa Rica – The Foreign Relations Ministry said that "we are following closely the unfolding events and we trust the solid and democratic institutions of the United States of America, as well as the respect of the rule of law".
• Czech Republic - Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček tweeted "The looting and violence at the US Senate are not a good example for countries where democracy is fighting hard for a place in the sun."
• Denmark – Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote that "Extremism, violence, polarization and violence is never the way forward. Terrible pictures from Washington. May democracy be brought back to working again."
• Fiji – Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said that "The violent scenes we saw in Washington today are an affront to democracies around the globe. True and genuine democracy is a precious treasure that no nation should ever take for granted. We are confident the USA will soon close this ugly chapter once and for all."
• Finland – President Sauli Niinistö called the protests "an unbelievable nightmare of democracy". Prime Minister Sanna Marin called the events "very severe and concerning".
• France – Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that "The violence against the American institutions is a grave attack on democracy. I condemn it. The will and the vote of the American people must be respected."
• Germany – Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that "The enemies of democracy will rejoice at these incomprehensible images from #WashingtonDC. Inflammatory words turn to violent action – on the steps of the Reichstag, and now in the #Capitol."
• Greece – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis claimed being "extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C.", adding that "American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis".
• Iceland – Foreign Minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson observed "Shocking scenes in #WashingtonDC. Any attacks on #democratic institutions and undermining of rule of law should be condemned. Outcome of democratic elections must be respected."
• India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted "Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests."
• Ireland – Taoiseach Mícheal Martin said that "many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay." Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said on Twitter that "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! We hope for restoration of calm."
• Italy – Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that he "follow(s) 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."
• New Zealand – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said "what is happening is wrong", that "the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob. [...] I have no doubt democracy will prevail." Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta tweeted a statement saying the country "look[s] forward to the peaceful transition of the political administration".
• Netherlands – Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the events "horrible" and encouraged Trump to concede "today".
• Norway – Prime Minister Erna Solberg called the events "unbelievable" and a "totally unacceptable attack on democracy".
• Poland – President Andrzej Duda tweeted that Poland had "full confidence in the power of American democracy."
• Portugal – Prime Minister António Costa said that "I am following developments in #Washington with concern. Disturbing scenes. The outcome of the elections must be respected, with a peaceful and orderly transfer of power. I have trust in the strength of the democratic institutions in the #USA."
• Russia – Deputy Russian Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said "Quite Maidan-style pictures are coming from DC."
• Slovenia – Prime Minister Janez Janša tweeted "All should be very troubled by the violence taking place in Washington D.C." and "We hope American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis. Democracy presupposes peaceful protest, but violence and death threats -from Left or Right- are ALWAYS wrong."
• Spain – Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "following with concern the news", but he "trust[s] in the strength of American democracy".
• Sweden – Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called the protests an "assault on democracy" and hoped for a peaceful restoration of order, noting that President Trump and members of congress have "a great responsibility" for the ongoing events.
• Turkey – Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop said "We follow the events in the USA with concern and invite the parties to calmness. We believe that problems will always be solved within law and democracy." The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement that called the events "worrying".
• United Kingdom – Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the scenes "disgraceful", saying 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". Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said that there could be "no justification" for "violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power". Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer called the scenes "horrendous" and said "these are not 'protestors' – this is a direct attack on democracy".
• Ukraine – Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that "Concerning scenes in Washington, D.C. I'm confident American democracy will overcome this challenge. The rule of law & democratic procedures need to be restored as soon as possible. This is important not only for the U.S., but for Ukraine and the entire democratic world as well."
• Venezuela – Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza stated that "the political polarization and the spiral of violence that reflects the profound political and social crisis the United States is currently experiencing." A statement from the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said "with this pitiful episode, the US is suffering exactly what it has caused in other countries with its aggressive policies. Venezuela hopes these violent events will soon cease and that the US people will finally be able to find a new path towards stability and social justice".

Supranational organizations

• European Union – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said that "In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege. This is an unseen assault on US democracy, its institutions and the rule of law. This is not America."
  • European Council – President of the European Council Charles Michel said that "The US Congress is a temple of democracy. To witness tonight's scenes in #WashingtonDC is a shock. We trust the US to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden."
• NATO – Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the scenes at the U.S. Capitol "shocking" on Twitter, and stated that "The outcome of this democratic election must be respected".
• Organization of American States – The OAS declared that "The exercise of force and vandalism against the institutions constitutes a serious attack against democratic functioning. We urge a return to much-needed rationality and a conclusion of the electoral process in accordance with the Constitution and the corresponding institutional procedures."
• United Nations – Secretary-General António Guterres was "saddened by the events at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday" and stated that "In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law."

See also

• 1954 United States Capitol shooting
• 1998 United States Capitol shooting
• 2020–2021 United States election protests
• American decline
• Democratic backsliding
• List of incidents of political violence in Washington, D.C.
• Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud

External links

• Media related to 2021 United States Capitol protests at Wikimedia Commons