After the resumed process of counting electoral votes, the Congress confirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the election, hours after President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed into the Capitol building and disrupted the proceedings.
According to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, in a letter to colleagues, the decision to quickly continue counting votes on the heels of the riot was made in the consultation with political leaders including Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the joint session of Congress,
In a statement, Pelosi said, “ Our purpose will be accomplished,” as she reconvened the House’s session.
In a similar note, the vice president said, “The violence was quelled, the Capitol is secured, and the people’s work continues. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins,” he added.
The pro-Trump supporters triggered lockdowns and evacuations at the Capitol, forcing lawmakers out of the House and Senate chambers shortly after the proceedings began.
According to NBC News, at least one person had died and a number of people in the riots were injured in the chaos.
It was also reported that Facebook, Twitter locked Trump’s account following a video addressing Washington rioters.
Facebook said it would lock Trump’s account for 24 hours, preventing him from posting on the service. Facebook-owned Instagram is also locking Trump’s account there. Whereas, Twitter removed three tweets by Trump, making them no longer visible to users.
This is the first time that the company has removed tweets by Trump for reasons other than copyright takedowns, the company confirmed.
World leaders also expressed shock at the violent protesters who overran the US Congress and attempted to overturn the Nov 3 presidential election results which dealt a victory to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.