USA: 4 dead, 13 injured, 52 arrested for assault on Congress
Four people were killed, 13 were injured, and at least 52 were injured following the storming of the US Congress by hundreds of pro-Trump protesters yesterday, January 6, during the Senate's deliberations to certify the presidential election results. The toll of the violence on Capitol Hill was released by Washington Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee, who called yesterday's violence "shameful" during a press conference alongside Democratic Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. The storming of Capitol Hill by pro-Trump protesters yesterday afternoon prompted the evacuation of both chambers of Congress. One woman was killed by police officers during the storming of Congress; three other people—a woman and two men—died from unspecified "separate medical emergencies" during the violent demonstration. Fourteen police officers were also injured during the protests.
White House officials reportedly discussed by phone and text messages the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution to forcibly remove President Donald Trump from office, following the chaos caused in Washington by the president's supporters storming the Capitol building. According to The Hill, the possibility was raised by a limited group of officials, and at least for now, it has not involved Cabinet-level officials. A White House source cited by the newspaper also clarified that Vice President Mike Pence was not consulted or informed of the discussions regarding Trump's possible removal, who will in any case have to leave the White House by the end of the month, with the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution provides that the vice president can assume the president's office in the event of his death, resignation, or removal from office. This removal procedure must be approved by a majority of the Cabinet and the vice president, and notified to Congress. The Constitution requires the House of Representatives to vote by a two-thirds majority if the president opposes his removal from office. The 25th Amendment has been invoked repeatedly by Democrats against President Trump, both during the "Russiagate" investigation and last October, when the president contracted the coronavirus.
Republicans objected to the certification of Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes during the full House session for Joe Biden's inauguration. Each chamber will now have to vote on the objection, but up to two hours of debate are permitted before the vote. Stephanie Grisham, First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff and press secretary, resigned following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will extend the state of emergency by 15 days, until January 21, the day after President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration Day. CNN reports the decision was made following the siege of the Capitol by Trump supporters.
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