LIVE: Donald Trump finally pledges an 'orderly transition' after Congress confirms Joe Biden's election win

7 Jan 2021 8:43am

Australian, UK political leaders respond to violence

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has condemned the "violent insurrection" in Washington as an "assault on the rule of law and democracy".

"Democracy is precious and cannot be taken for granted," he wrote on Twitter. "Donald Trump has encouraged this response and must now call on his supporters to stand down."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to comment on the violence, while UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the scenes as "disgraceful".

"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," he wrote.

7 Jan 2021 8:32am

Donald Trump calls tells protesters to 'go home', but maintains election was 'stolen'

President Donald Trump has posted a video to Twitter calling on protesters to "go home in peace" as he continued to repeat unfounded claims that Joe Biden's election win was the result of fraud.

He also described the protesters, who have violently entered and occupied the Capitol building, as "very special".

"This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home, we love you, you're very special," he said.

"I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us."

7 Jan 2021 8:24am

Scenes from inside the Capitol

Protesters have entered the Senate and are attempting to breach the House floor, here are some images from inside the Capitol building:

7 Jan 2021 8:15am

'Demand an end to this siege', President-Elect Joe Biden urges Donald Trump

President-Elect Joe Biden has addressed the nation amid an "unprecedented assault" on democracy, as protesters occupy the Capitol building.

"What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it is disorder, it is chaos. It borders on sedition and it must end now," he said.

He also called on President Trump to immediately hold a televised address to the nation and urge the protesters to stand down.

President-Elect Joe Biden. Source: AAP

"The words of a president matter no matter how good or bad that president is. At the best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite. Therefore, I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfil his oath and defend the constitution and demand an end to this siege.

"To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks on the House of Representatives, threatening the safety of dually elected officials, it is not protest, it is insurrection. The world is watching.

"Like so many other Americans, I'm generally shocked and saddened that our nation so long the beacon of light and hope for democracy has come to such a dark moment."

7 Jan 2021 8:01am

National Guard deployed to Washington DC

The entire DC National Guard has been activated and Virginia's Governor has dispatched members of the Virginia Guard and and State Troopers to the Capitol, the New York Times reports.

Vice-President Mike Pence has also called on anyone involved in the protest to "respect law enforcement officers and immediately leave the building".

7 Jan 2021 7:51am

One person shot, wounded inside Capitol

At least one person has been shot and wounded inside the Capitol as armed protesters storm the building, CNN reports.

7 Jan 2021 7:47am

President Trump calls on protesters to 'remain peaceful'

Outgoing US President Donald Trump has called on protesters at the the Capitol to remain peaceful, hours after he encouraged his supporters to rally against his election lost:

About an hour earlier, Mr Trump railed against Vice-President Mike Pence for refusing to block the Electoral Vote count, saying he "didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution".

7 Jan 2021 7:41am

How it happened

Here's a run down of the key developments overnight:

Shortly before 1pm, local time: US President Donald Trump addressed supporters at a rally in Washington DC declaring, "we will never give up, we will never concede".

“We won this election, and we won it by a landslide. This was not a close election.”

He also once again urged Vice-President Mike Pence to stop the count of Electoral College votes in Congress, usually a formality in ushering in a new president, which was set to begin at 1pm (5am AEDT).

“I hope Mike is going to do the right thing. I hope so. I hope so, because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election,” he said.

1pm, local time: Vice-President issued a statement explaining that he does not have the authority to discard Electoral Votes.

Just before 2pm, local time: As Congress was underway, pro-Trump supporters charged police lines around the Capitol building, where the votes were being certified. Two buildings - the Madison Library and the Cannon House Office Building - were evacuated.

About 2.30pm, local time: the Capitol Building was put in lockdown due to an "external security threat", with members of Congress instructed to "shelter in place" in their offices after protesters broke through barriers.

Shortly after 2.30pm, local time: Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announces a curfew across the city from 6pm.

7 Jan 2021 7:20am

Welcome to today's blog

Good morning, all.

There are some extraordinary scenes in Washington at the moment, with supporters of Donald Trump breaching security cordons and entering the Capitol building after clashing with police.

That came after Mr Trump held a large rally as Congress met to certify Joe Biden’s election win.

The Capitol is reportedly in lockdown and guns have been drawn inside, with politicians sheltering in place in their offices.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest.

LIVE: Donald Trump finally pledges an 'orderly transition' after Congress confirms Joe Biden's election win

Congress finally affirmed President-elect Joe Biden's victory at 3.40am local time, handing him 306 electoral votes.

Australian, UK political leaders respond to violence

Donald Trump calls tells protesters to 'go home', but maintains election was 'stolen'

Scenes from inside the Capitol

'Demand an end to this siege', President-Elect Joe Biden urges Donald Trump

National Guard deployed to Washington DC

One person shot, wounded inside Capitol

President Trump calls on protesters to 'remain peaceful'

How it happened

Welcome to today's blog

previous

3of3

next

LIVE: Donald Trump finally pledges an 'orderly transition' after Congress confirms Joe Biden's election win

Congress finally affirmed President-elect Joe Biden's victory at 3.40am local time, handing him 306 electoral votes.

Australian, UK political leaders respond to violence

Donald Trump calls tells protesters to 'go home', but maintains election was 'stolen'

Scenes from inside the Capitol

'Demand an end to this siege', President-Elect Joe Biden urges Donald Trump

National Guard deployed to Washington DC

One person shot, wounded inside Capitol

President Trump calls on protesters to 'remain peaceful'

How it happened

Welcome to today's blog

previous

3of3

next

Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.