Joe Biden condemns US Capitol chaos: 'One of the darkest days in our history'
Joe Biden has condemned violent scenes that descended on the US Capitol as "one of the darkest days" in the nation's history.
Speaking a short time ago, President-Elect Biden slammed the actions of rioters as "domestic terrorists".
"They weren't protesters. Don't dare call them protesters. They were a riotous mob, insurrectionists, domestic terrorists. It's that basic. It's that simple.
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President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, January 7, 2021, to announce key nominees for the Justice Department. AP Photo/Susan Walsh
"Yesterday, in my view, was one of the darkest days in the history of our nation.
"An unprecedented assault on our democracy, an assault on our democracy, an assault literally on the citadel of liberty in the United States Capitol itself and an assault on the rule of law, an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings, ratifying the will of the people in choosing the leadership of their government.
"All of us here grieve the loss of life, grieve the desecration of the people's House."
Mr Biden then took aim at President Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally Wednesday, January 6, 2021, in Washington. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
"He unleashed an all-out assault on our institutions of our democracy from the outset, and yesterday what was what the culmination was of that unrelenting attack," Mr Biden said.
Soon after, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined a growing chorus of politicians calling for Mr Trump to be removed from office via the 25th Amendment, or impeachment.
"I join the Senate democratic leader in calling on the Vice-President to remove this President by immediately invoking the 25th amendment," Ms Pelosi said.
"If the Vice-President and Cabinet do not act, the Congress may be prepared to move forward with impeachment."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress, at the Capitol in Washington. AP
Her comments come after moves by the Democrats, and at least one congressional Republican. Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a frequent critic of the President, has called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, saying in a video message on Thursday local time, "the President must now relinquish control of the executive branch voluntarily or involuntarily".
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