President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States for the first time and said his focus now is on a peaceful transition of power.
“A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation,” Trump said in a video statement posted on Twitter.
The president also denounced the “heinous” attack on the Capitol and said rioters had “defiled the seat of American democracy.”
Four people died in the violent protests, with a mob overwhelming police officers and invading the Capitol building, forcing lawmakers into hiding for their own safety.
Speaking from a podium at the White House, the president stressed that his priority is now arranging for an orderly transition to a new administration.
“We must get on with the business of America,” the president said – adding that his campaign had “vigorously pursued every legal avenue to contest the election results.”
Mr Trump described his four years in office as “the honour of my lifetime”, adding, “To all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.”
The Republican president has been under intense political pressure after several Republicans and Democrats criticised him for inciting the violence and top Democrats called for his immediate removal from office.
Democratic leaders in the US Congress reportedly attempted to contact Vice President Mike Pence to replace President Trump immediately through the 25th Amendment to the constitution. The provision allows a vice president to replace a president, if they are unable to perform their duties. Mr Pence, however, would not take their call, saying that he is against using the 25th amendment to remove Mr Trump from office.
Shortly before Mr Trump’s video was released, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany also gave a short statement in which she described the violence at the US Capitol as “appalling” and “reprehensible”.
In an address that lasted less than two minutes, she added that, “Those who violently besieged our Capitol are the opposite of everything this administration stands for.”
Meanwhile, the head of the US Capital Police, Steven Sund has announced that he will resign on 16th January following the unprecedented security breach.
Mr Sund said the police had planned for a free speech demonstration and did not expect the violent attack, which allowed protesters to ransack government offices and occupy the building for several hours.
He described the incident as “unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years of law enforcement here in Washington DC”.
A senior federal prosecutor has said “all options are on the table” for charging members of the violent mob – including sedition charges.
More than 90 people have been arrested in Washington and more arrests are likely, with officials warning that it could take weeks to build cases against some of the rioters.
