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US Capitol siege LIVE updates: Hours after a rally by Donald Trump at Washington DC, his supporters stormed Capitol Hill. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

3:39 PM

Outrage against Donald Trump grows from both lawmakers and American business corporations

3:16 PM

Donald Trump pledges 'orderly' transfer of power to Joe Biden on January 20

Outgoing US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there will be an "orderly" transfer of power to Joe Biden on January 20. Trump's remarks came minutes after a Joint Session of the US Congress formally certified the Electoral College victory of Biden as the next US President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President in the November 3 election.

 

"Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th," Trump said in a statement. Commenting on the certification, Trump said the decision "represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history."

 

"It's only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again," Trump said while repeating false claims about the election fraud.

 

Biden, 78, and Harris, 56, are scheduled to be sworn in as the President and Vice President of the country on January 20. The inauguration is going to be a low-key affair given the COVID-19 pandemic.

3:07 PM

Chaos, violence, mockery as pro-Trump mob occupies US Congress

Where are they? a Trump supporter demanded in a crowd of dozens roaming the halls of the Capitol, bearing Trump flags and pounding on doors. They lawmakers, staff members and more were hiding under tables, hunkered in lockdowns, saying prayers and seeing the fruits of the country's divisions up close and violent.

 

Guns were drawn. A woman was shot and killed by police, and three others died in apparent medical emergencies. A Trump flag hung on the Capitol. The graceful Rotunda reeked of tear gas. Glass shattered.

 

On Wednesday, hallowed spaces of American democracy, one after another, yielded to the occupation of Congress.

 

The pro-Trump mob took over the presiding officer's chair in the Senate, the offices of the House speaker and the Senate dais, where one yelled, Trump won that election.

2:40 PM

Three White House aides resign after Capitol violence

Three White House aides, including First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff Stephanie Grisham, have resigned from their posts in the wake of the violent protests that rocked Washington DC. Grisham submitted her resignation Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately, reports Xinhua news agency.

 

In a statement posted on Twitter early Thursday, Grisham said: It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP mission to help children everywhere and proud of the many accomplishments of this Administration. Signing off now - you can find me at @OMGrisham."

 

Grisham was one of the longest-serving Trump administration officials, previously serving as White House Communications Director and Press Secretary.

 

The second aide who resigned was White House Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta, an administration official confirmed to CNN. According to the CNN, Niceta served as the administration's sole Social Secretary, assuming the post in February 2017. The third aide who also resigned on Wednesday was White House press aide Sarah Matthews. In a statement Matthews said she "was deeply disturbed by what I saw today", adding that "our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power".

2:28 PM

Joint session of US Congress certifies Biden's electoral victory over Trump

A Joint Session of the US Congress on Thursday formally certified the electoral victory of Joe Biden as the next US President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President in the November 3 election.

 

The formal certification by the Joint Session came in the wee hours of Thursday. The Joint Session which resumed its meeting late Wednesday night after it was disrupted by hundreds of supporters of incumbent President Donald Trump who violently stormed the Capitol Hill.

 

The counting of Electoral College votes and its subsequent certification came after an ugly episode of violence inside the US Capitol, resulting in four deaths, wherein Capitol Hill was brought under a lockdown, with lawmakers being taken to safe places, shots were fired inside the Congress and tear gas was used. Former US President, Barack Obama, described it as a moment of great dishonor and shame for the United States.

 

Biden, 78, and Harris, 56, are scheduled to be sworn in as the President and Vice President of the country on January 20. The inauguration is going to be a low-key affair given the Covid-19 pandemic.

2:12 PM

US Congress rejects objection to Joe Biden's victory in Arizona

The House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday (local time) rejected an objection to President-elect Joe Biden's victory in Arizona. The objection to the results in Arizona -- spearheaded by Republican Paul Gosar and Senator Ted Cruz -- was rejected 93-6 on Wednesday night.

 

The debate was halted for hours when angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Congress returned later Wednesday to resume their proceedings after the Capitol was cleared by law enforcement.

 

Trump has claimed widespread voter fraud to explain away his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden.

2:04 PM

House of representatives vote 282-138 against attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania

1:58 PM

FBI seeks information to identify individuals who instigated US Capitol riots

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday (local time) released a statement seeking information on the US Capitol riots to identify miscreants who instigated the violence.

 

"The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the US Capitol Building and surrounding the area in Washington DC, on January 6, 2021," read the statement.

 

It urged the people to help in providing the information, "If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant at fbi.gov/USCapitol".

 

The bureau also urged people to "call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) to verbally report tips and/or information related to this investigation" and to "submit any images, videos, or other multimedia files you have related to possible violations of federal law committed".

1:28 PM

US election result 2020: Democrats take US Senate as Ossoff wins in Georgia

Democrats took control of the Senate on Wednesday (local time) as Jon Ossoff won the Georgia runoff elections, New York Times reported.

 

Raphael Warnock defeated Senator Kelly Loeffler, becoming the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from the South, while Jon Ossoff, the 33-year-old head of a video production company who has never held public office, defeated David Perdue, who recently completed his first full term as senator, reported New York Times.

 

Raphael Warnock and Ossoff will be the first Black and Jewish senators to represent Georgia, CNN reported.

 

Ossoff's victory comes at a moment when the chaotic and violent scene erupted at the US Capitol.

1:21 PM

Under heavy guard, Congress back to work after Trump supporters storm US Capitol

Both houses of Congress resumed their work on certifying Biden's Electoral College win, with debate stretching into the early hours of Thursday. It quickly became clear that objections from pro-Trump Republican lawmakers to Biden's victory in battleground states would be rejected overwhelmingly, including by most Republicans."To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today - you did not win," Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over the session, said as it resumed. "Let's get back to work," he said, drawing applause

1:19 PM

US lawmakers to investigate police after Capitol breach by pro-Trump mob

Lawmakers are vowing an investigation into how Capitol police handled Wednesday's violent breach at the Capitol, questioning whether a lack of preparedness allowed the mob to occupy and vandalize the building.

 

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, said the breach raises grave security concerns,? adding that her committee will work with House and Senate leaders to review the police response - and its preparedness - to a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump that stormed the Capitol and forced lawmakers into hiding. Read on...

1:19 PM

US lawmakers to investigate police after Capitol breach by pro-Trump mob

Lawmakers are vowing an investigation into how Capitol police handled Wednesday's violent breach at the Capitol, questioning whether a lack of preparedness allowed the mob to occupy and vandalize the building.

 

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, said the breach raises grave security concerns,? adding that her committee will work with House and Senate leaders to review the police response - and its preparedness - to a violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump that stormed the Capitol and forced lawmakers into hiding. Read on...

12:40 PM

Washington DC Mayor extends public emergency for 15 days after Capitol riot

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday (local time) extended the public emergency for 15 days following the mayhem and chaos created by pro-Trump supporters at the US Capitol.

 

"I have issued an order extending the public emergency declared earlier today for a total of 15 days," Bowser wrote on Twitter. Read on...

12:34 PM

In pic: Protesters wave American and Confederate flags during clashes with Capitol police at a rally

12:20 PM

Four living ex-presidents deride US Capitol breach by Trump supporters

Slamming President Donald Trump for inciting violence at the US Capitol, all four living former US presidents -- Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter -- have condemned the actions of pro-Trump rioters and underlined the need for a peaceful transfer of power.

 

The statement of Obama and three former presidents came hours after thousands of pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday stormed the US Capitol, interrupting a joint session of Congress where lawmakers were set to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win.

 

History will rightly remember today's violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation. But we'd be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise, Obama said in a lengthy statement.