- Opinion
- 06 Jan 21
Joe Biden calls on Donald Trump to tell Washington D.C. rioters to disperse
"This is not dissent, it's disorder," says the President-Elect
Joe Biden has demanded in a television appearance that Donald Trump fully address the violence and domestic terrorism, which has occurred today on Capitol Hill.
"I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding an end to this siege," the President-Elect says." Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now."
Shortly afterwards in a video message, Trump asked "very special protesters... to go home" whilst bemoaning his election defeat again.
Reacting to the shocking scenes, Micheal Martin says: "The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations. I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay."
Adds Simon Coveney: "Shocking & deeply sad scenes in Washington DC - 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."
Simon Harris says: "What we are seeing on our television screens in the United States is shocking and is an attack on democracy - pure and simple. It is not a 'protest', it is a mob attempting to undermine democracy and endanger lives. We think of all our friends and family in the United States."
The Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven, messages: "What we are seeing now is an attack on democracy. President Trump and many members of Congress have a great responsibility for what is happening now. The democratic process of electing a president must be respected.”
On the other side of the Irish Sea, Boris Johnson says: "Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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."
Twitter have reacted by adding an extra line to their Trump tweet disclaimer:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
In other reaction to the shocking scenes of insurrection in Washington D.C., Sinead O'Connor notes: "Tragically, If these were black protesters there'd be a whole other and evil response. Bitches, the day you all didn't take to the streets on behalf of the first child he trafficked at the Mexican border is the day you all actually enabled him in this. Sorry but it's true."
Kiss man Paul Stanley tweets: "These are TERRORISTS. This is armed insurrection. The flames were fanned today & over time by the president & specific senators who CANNOT be allowed now to distance from or denounce what they have directly caused. Know their names. THIS is the result of their deception. Shame."
Irish band One Morning In August opine: "It'd be more difficult to storm the pitch in Aughrim after a Junior B final than to storm Capitol Hill by the looks of things..."
When your supporters attempt a violent coup you lose any right to ever talk about law and order.
I don’t ever wanna hear Republicans say a single fucking word about Law and order ever again.— David Hogg 📢 (@davidhogg111) January 6, 2021
A Trump supporter carries a podium around the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached the Capitol Building during a joint session of #Congress in Washington, DC 📷: @WinMc pic.twitter.com/lsF7wg6BI5
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) January 6, 2021
President Trump encouraged this, @VP. pic.twitter.com/keXX3iuJpv
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 6, 2021
Mike Pence has unfollowed Donald Trump on Twitter.
Of course the first thing the VP should do during insurrection and absolute chaos in Washington DC is log onto social media and make that stunning and brave move.— Mike P Williams (@Mike_P_Williams) January 6, 2021
It is a bizarre feeling to be sitting in my House office working on finishing my speech to defend our democracy, while hearing sirens and commotion just outside and getting constant evacuation alerts. Never imagined I would see the day.
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 6, 2021
A noose outside the Capitol building @WTRF7News #WashingtonDC #Washington #washingtonrally #DC #capitol (Getty IMages) pic.twitter.com/sqqoiNqLuD
— John Lynch (@JohnLynchWTRF) January 6, 2021
