‘Shame, dishonour’: Obama attacks Trump

The world has reacted with fury and distress at the horrifying scenes unfolding in Washington DC, after violent pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol. 

The House and Senate were forced into emergency recess earlier today, Wednesday local time, after angry crowds of Donald Trump’s supporters breached security cordons and forcibly entered the building after clashing with police.

Despite the horrifying scenes, Mr Trump repeatedly used Twitter to double down on disproved claims the election was stolen from him.

“I know your pain, I know your hurt, we had an election that was stolen from us...but you have to go home now, we have to have peace and law and order,” he said, in a now deleted video.

Earlier, Mr Trump called for “peaceful” protests however his calls for calm were too late.

Social media has been awash with criticism, with a number of former presidents and Mr Trump’s 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 “a moment of great dishonour and shame” but admitted it wasn’t a surprise.
 

Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021