American democracy is put to test
Donald Trump supporters storm US Capitol trying to overthrow result of November presidential elections.
Eugen Coroianu, 07.01.2021, 13:50
Shocking
images travelled around the world on Wednesday, when the US Capitol Building was
taken by storm by Donald Trump supporters. Called upon to come to Washington and
encouraged by the president himself, they absurdly tried to stop Congress from certifying the result of the presidential election, which
they believe was rigged.
The
idea of the elections being stolen was in fact introduced to US public agenda
and promoted by Trump himself before, during and after elections, without being
able to provide any valid proof. Dozens of court cases brought by the
Republicans were all dismissed and the Electoral College confirmed the victory
of Democrat Joe Biden. Donald Trump ignored all these facts, becoming increasingly
isolated even within his own party, with many Republican leaders acknowledging
defeat. One such figure is vice-president Mike Pence, who was pressured by
president Trump not to recognise Biden’s victory. Pence told those who wrought
havoc in Congress that they did not win, that violence never wins, freedom does,
while the leader of Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell described the riots as failed
insurrection.
The
Senate’s top Democrat Chuck Schumer said Wednesday’s events did not happen spontaneously.
He accused president Trump, who he said promoted conspiracy theories and motivated
these thugs, of bearing much of the blame. The attack on the Capitol was also
described as insurrection by president elect Joe Biden, who called on Donald
Trump to step in firmly to stop the violence and protect the Constitution.
On Wednesday, Trump posted several video
messages on Twitter in which he thanked his supporters for their support,
refusing to admit defeat and insisting that he won the elections and that his
victory was stolen. He did tell protesters to go home, so as to have peace, law
and order.
Leaders
from around the world have condemned the events in Washington. UN secretary-general
Antonio Guterres said politicians must impart on their supporters the need to refrain
from violence and respect democratic processes. EU foreign policy chief Josep
Borrell and NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the result of the
elections won by Democrat Joe Biden must be respected. What happened in America
is not American, said French president Emmanuel Macron, while British prime
minister Boris Johnson described the scenes coming out of Washington as disgraceful.
The
Romanian foreign ministry said the violence that took place on Capitol Hill is
worrying and unacceptable and expressed confidence in American democracy, which
it said should remain a model for the entire world. (CM)
