Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
International

Uneasy calm settles on Capitol after day of chaos

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Jan, 2021 06:08 PM
  • Uneasy calm settles on Capitol after day of chaos

As an uneasy peace settles over Capitol Hill, talk in the U.S. capital has turned to expediting Donald Trump's departure.

Overnight, just hours after Trump supporters forced their way into the building and terrorized lawmakers, Congress ultimately certified Joe Biden as U.S. president-elect.

And Trump, his Twitter account frozen, staffers resigning their posts and critics accusing him of inciting a riot, has finally promised an orderly transfer of power on Jan. 20.

He continues to defiantly claim that he was the rightful winner in November, citing unfounded conspiracy theories of a stolen presidential election.

Wednesday's pandemonium marked another low point in a four-year term full of them for Trump, and is fuelling talk of an even more ignominious departure.

At least one member of Congress has promised to draw up articles of impeachment, while media reports suggest cabinet members have discussed the possibility of removing him from office.

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, best known as a member of the progressive wing of the Democrats, says she intends to seek to impeach Trump — an indignity he has already endured once.

"Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives and removed from office by the United States Senate," Omar tweeted Wednesday.

"We can’t allow him to remain in office, it’s a matter of preserving our republic and we need to fulfil our oath."

Within an hour of Trump airing familiar conspiracy theories and phoney grievances to a sprawling crowd outside the White House, supporters swarmed the outside of the building, mobbed Capitol police and began flooding in.

Members of Congress were promptly evacuated from the area as officers, some with weapons drawn, confronted the mob. Protesters looted and vandalized offices, and even gained access to the Senate and House chambers.

The images that ensued were jaw-dropping: a man in a Make America Great Again hat, his feet up on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk. Another striding through the rotunda with a Confederate flag over his shoulder. The speaker's dais occupied by a man with a Trump flag as a cape. Protesters brandishing trophies swiped from offices.

Outside, as police sirens echoed and helicopters pulsed overhead, thousands upon thousands of others who were massed on the Capitol steps cheered and celebrated news of the breach, waving flags, firing flares and popping smoke grenades from atop the balcony.

Less than eight hours later, however, with the Capitol fully secured, lawmakers reconvened their joint session, determined to send the message that they wouldn't be cowed.

D.C. police Chief Robert Contee confirmed that shots were fired inside the Capitol. Four people died, including a woman who was shot by police.

The woman was shot earlier Wednesday as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died.

The three others died in "medical emergencies," Contee said.

Biden, whose election win two months ago was ultimately certified in the wee hours of Thursday morning, pleaded for calm.

"Our democracy is under unprecedented assault," Biden said, calling the protesters "extremists" who are "dedicated to lawlessness."

"This is not dissent, it's disorder, it's chaos. It borders on sedition, and it must end — now."

National Guard reinforcements were called in to help restore a sense of order, while D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser imposed an overnight curfew beginning at 6 p.m. ET in an effort to disperse the crowds.

MORE International ARTICLES

Afghan teenager shoots 2 Taliban militia with AK-47 rifle as revenge for parents killing

Afghan teenager shoots 2 Taliban militia with AK-47 rifle as revenge for parents killing
A story of one Afghan girl is gaining widespread attention on social media. When the Taliban came to kill her parents, she took matters into her own hands, bursting from her home brandishing an AK-47 and killing two of the Taliban men. 

Afghan teenager shoots 2 Taliban militia with AK-47 rifle as revenge for parents killing

'I have to see': Trump threatens to linger longer, regardless of November vote

'I have to see': Trump threatens to linger longer, regardless of November vote
Because it's 2020, anyone anxious about this year's presidential election has a new problem to worry about: the possibility that a defeated Donald Trump won't be willing to leave the West Wing.

'I have to see': Trump threatens to linger longer, regardless of November vote

New York CBS reporter Nina Kapur passes away at 26 in a moped accident

New York CBS reporter Nina Kapur passes away at 26 in a moped accident
Some heartbreaking news a reporter of Indian origin who worked for New York’s CBS affiliate CBS2 was killed Saturday after falling from one of the rented mopeds that have become increasingly popular in a city still not keen on using traditional mass transit.

New York CBS reporter Nina Kapur passes away at 26 in a moped accident

UK makes a COVID vaccine that can trigger an immune response

UK makes a COVID vaccine that can trigger an immune response
The University of Oxford has developed a coronavirus vaccine that appears safe and can trigger the immune response. England has already ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine.    

UK makes a COVID vaccine that can trigger an immune response

Fahim Saleh, the tech entrepreneur's assistant in custody over Saleh's murder

Fahim Saleh, the tech entrepreneur's assistant in custody over Saleh's murder
According to a law enforcement official,Fahim Saleh the tech entrepreneur's assistant was in custody Friday in connection with the dismemberment of Saleh at his luxury Manhattan condo.

Fahim Saleh, the tech entrepreneur's assistant in custody over Saleh's murder

Chinese executives get 'pre-test' injections in vaccine race

Chinese executives get 'pre-test' injections in vaccine race
In the global race to make a coronavirus vaccine, a state-owned Chinese company is boasting that its employees, including top executives, received experimental shots even before the government approved testing in people.

Chinese executives get 'pre-test' injections in vaccine race