World leaders condemn ‘disgraceful scenes’ of Trump supporters storming U.S. Capitol
World leaders condemn ‘disgraceful scenes’ in the US capital Washington DC after the supporters of the outgoing President Donald Trump stormed Capitol Hill on Wednesday as the House of Representatives and the Senate held a rare joint session to begin certifying the results of the presidential election held in November 2020.
This was the first occurrence of the breach in America since 1814, when the British forces destroyed multiple buildings, including the President’s mansion, in the US capital in an event known as the ‘Burning of Washington’.
It was the historic night of 24 August 1814, as the War of 1812 raged on, British troops stormed the American capital and reduced most of the public official buildings to all but rubble.
Wednesday, 6 January 2021 will go down in world history as the events from the day left the whole world in shock.
The world leaders were quick to respond to the latest development and relayed their messages to the US and its democratic values it has carried in past.
In a radio interview that was scheduled before Wednesday’s events began to unfold, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was following the developments “minute by minute.”
In a tweet later shared Canadian PM said: “Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld – and it will be.”
Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld – and it will be.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 6, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned the situation in the US and in a tweet he said: “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.”
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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021
French President Emmanuel Macron in a video on Twitter said: “When, in one of the world’s oldest democracies, supporters of an outgoing president take up arms to challenge the legitimate results of an election, a universal idea – that of ‘one person, one vote’ – is undermined.”
“What happened today in Washington DC is not American, definitely. We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy” he added.
We believe in democracy.#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/dj3hs66KKn
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 7, 2021
Meanwhile, the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven described the incident as “worrying” and said it was “an assault on democracy”.
https://twitter.com/SwedishPM/status/1346959300648980480
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Stolberg has called the scenes “unbelievable,” and “a totally unacceptable attack on democracy. A heavy responsibility now rests on President Trump to put a stop to this.”
Unbelievable scenes from Washington D.C. This is a totally unacceptable attack on democracy. A heavy responsibility now rests on President Trump to put a stop to this.
— Erna Solberg (@erna_solberg) January 6, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has enjoyed a good relationship with US President Trump, was “distressed to see the news of riots and violence” in Washington
“Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. An orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.,” he tweeted.
Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2021
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a tweet said: “Like so many others, I’ve been watching what’s happening in the United States. I share the sentiment of friends in the US – what is happening is wrong.”
“Democracy – the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard, and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob. Our thoughts are with everyone who is as devastated as we are by the events of today. I have no doubt democracy will prevail,” Kiwi PM added.
Democracy – the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob. Our thoughts are with everyone who is as devastated as we are by the events of today. I have no doubt democracy will prevail.
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) January 7, 2021
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has the scene at the Capitol Hill “very distressing”. In a tweet, he said that he looked forward to “a peaceful transfer of government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.”
Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 6, 2021
