Protesters Storm US Capitol Against Joe Biden’s Victory, World Leaders React

Thousands of Pro-Trump protesters breached and overpowered security on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on Wednesday in an attempt to stop President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump from being certified by Congress.

Officers of the National Guard from Virginia and Washington DC were however deployed to Capitol Hill to dissolve the ensuing standoff as the protest escalated into more chaos leading to one female shot by law enforcement and multiple injuries recorded on both sides of law enforcement and protesters.

Several world leaders have reacted to the ongoing protest as the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his official twitter page described the events as a “disgrace”, saying the United States stood for democracy around the world and that it was “vital” now that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking with the News 1130 Vancouver radio station expressed concern over the violent scenes in Washington saying, “Obviously we’re concerned and we’re following the situation minute by minute.” “I think the American democratic institutions are strong, and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly.”

Jean-Yves Le Drian French Foreign Minister also took to Twitter and said,  “The violence against the American institutions is a grave attack on democracy. I condemn it. The will and the vote of the American people must be respected.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the violent protests was “shocking” and said the outcome of the democratic US election must be respected.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracy’s enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the United States Capitol, and he called on Trump to accept US voters’ decision.

Heiko said, “Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy,” he tweeted.

The Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven also tweeted describing the incidents as “an attack on democracy”. “President Trump and many members of Congress bear significant responsibility for what’s now taking place. The democratic process of electing a president must be respected.”

Turkey’s foreign ministry in a statement expressed concern about the violence and called for calm and common sense while urging its citizens to avoid crowds and the protest area.