Former presidents, Republican allies turn on Donald Trump after US violence
The world is reacting with fury and distress after the US Capitol riot - with former presidents and Mr Trumpβs old allies joining in the condemnation.
Social media has been awash with criticism, with a number of former presidents and Mr Trumpβs old Republican allies joining the condemnation.
Former President Barack Obama, who peacefully left the White House for Donald Trump in 2016, described the events in the Capitol today as βa moment of great dishonour and shameβ but admitted it wasnβt a surprise.
Hereβs my statement on todayβs violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya
β Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021
Former President George W. Bush also released a lengthy statement, describing the riot as βsickening and heartbreakingβ.
Former President George Bush: βI am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement." pic.twitter.com/WWE2D0KBOs
β Republicans for Joe Biden πΊπΈ (@RepsForBiden) January 6, 2021
Bill Clinton also weighed in, levelling the entirety of the blame at Mr Trump and claiming he βlit the matchβ.
The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers, including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost.
The election was free, the count was fair, the result is final. We must complete the peaceful transfer of power our Constitution mandates.
β Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021
If thatβs who we really are, we must reject todayβs violence, turn the page, and move forward togetherβhonoring our Constitution, remaining committed to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
β Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 7, 2021
Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 election to Donald Trump, described the people who stormed the Capitol as βdomestic terroristsβ.
Today, domestic terrorists attacked a foundation of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power following free elections.
We must reestablish the rule of law and hold them accountable.
Democracy is fragile. Our leaders must live up to their responsibility to protect it.
β Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 6, 2021
Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida and the younger brother of former President George W. Bush, called on Mr Trump to βgo home to Floridaβ.
The President has provoked the disgusting events at the Capitol today. He has gone from creating chaos to inciting insurrection. Mr. President, accept your defeat, go home to Florida and let our elected officials do their jobs and rebuild confidence in our democracy.
β Jeb Bush (@JebBush) January 7, 2021
Former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah, who assisted Mr Trump in his campaign, begged people to accept the election result.
Dear MAGA- I am one of you. Before I worked for @realDonaldTrump, I worked for @MarkMeadows & @Jim_Jordan & the @freedomcaucus. I marched in the 2010 Tea Party rallies. I campaigned w/ Trump & voted for him. But I need you to hear me: the Election was NOT stolen. We lost.
β Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) January 6, 2021
Itβs time to regroup, organize, & campaign for political leaders we believe in, and let our democracy work. It is NOT and NEVER will be a time for violence.
If you believe in America first, you believe in our Constitution, the rule of law, & our first principles.
β Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) January 6, 2021
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Former Defence Secretary James Mattis said Mr Trump and his allies would βlive in infamy as profiles in cowardiceβ.
James Mattis weighs in pic.twitter.com/tOW7o7iGru
β Evan Siegfried (@evansiegfried) January 7, 2021
Republican Senator Mitt Romney also didnβt mince words, labelling the outgoing president as a βselfish manβ.
βWe gather today due to a selfish manβs injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months and stirred to action this very morning,β Mr Romney said in a statement.
What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States. https://t.co/NojKm86sZ2
β Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) January 6, 2021
https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-politics/us-capitol-world-reacts-as-trump-rioters-storm-the-building-to-stop-congress-certifying-joe-biden/news-story/110f7e9d25b29d474068a82af5c93fc7
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