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US President Donald Trump has turned on his deputy, accusing him of lack of courage after Mike Pence said he would not intervene in the election outcome.
In a tweet, the president wrote: “Mike Pence did not have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution, giving states the opportunity to certify a set of corrected facts, not fraudulent or inaccurate ones. they were asked to pre-certify. America demands the truth! “
Earlier, Trump reiterated his claim that his election was stolen and asked Pence to “do the right thing” and block the formal confirmation of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
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But shortly after, the vice president issued a letter confirming that he did not have those powers and did not believe that those powers should be granted to anyone in his role.
The president’s tweet came as thousands of protesters swarmed around the Capitol building, with some reports of protesters breaching security and entering the building.
Since then, the mayor of Washington DC has ordered a curfew in the city.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have been suspended after the riots.
Shortly after his criticisms of Mr. Pence were published and people stormed the Capitol building, the outgoing president sent out a second tweet asking his supporters to support law enforcement.
President Donald Trump speaking in Washington DC before the unrest took hold
The post read: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. You are truly on the side of our country. Keep Peace!”
Trump sent another tweet shortly after, repeating his call for peace.
“I ask everyone in the United States Capitol to remain at peace. No violence! Remember, WE are the Law & Order Party; respect the Law and our great men and women in Azul. Thank you!” he wrote.
Congress had been affirming Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 US general election. There was opposition from parts of the Republican Party, but the proceedings were expected to conclude with a confirmation of the result.
In his letter to President Trump, Mike Pence highlighted his oath to God upon taking office.
Mike Pence said he did not have the power to block the formal confirmation of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
He said: “Four years ago, surrounded by my family, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, which ended with the words, ‘God help me.’
“Today I want to assure the American people that I will keep my oath to you and that I will keep my oath to Almighty God.
“When the Joint Session of Congress is called today, I will fulfill my duty to ensure that we open the certificates of the Electors of the various states, listen to the objections raised by the Senators and Representatives, and count the Electoral College votes for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws and history.
“So help me God.”
He added: “It is my thoughtful judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution limits me to claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should and should not be counted.”
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