Donald Trump has conceded defeat to Joe Biden for the first time – a day after his supporters stormed the US Capitol.
The president said he was “outraged” by Wednesday’s “heinous” attack, which came as politicians in Congress certified Mr Biden’s victory.
Four people died in the violent protests – with a mob overwhelming police officers and invading the Capitol building, forcing lawmakers into hiding for their own safety.
Several American politicians have called for Mr Trump to be removed from office immediately
Some of the internal damage from the aftermath of the riot
There have been reports that a US Capitol Police officer was also killed. However, the force has released a statement warning these reports are not accurate.
The tone of Mr Trump’s latest video, which was uploaded to Twitter, was markedly different from the one uploaded a day earlier – in which he continued to allege that the election was fraudulent.
Speaking from a podium at the White House, the president stressed that his priority is now arranging for an orderly transition to a new administration – and said Mr Biden will be sworn in on 20 January.
“We must get on with the business of America,” the president said – adding that his campaign had “vigorously pursued every legal avenue to contest the election results”.
Mr Trump described his four years in office as “the honour of my lifetime” – and said: “To all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed, but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.”
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WH press secretary makes quick getaway from podium
In other developments:
• Several Democrats have called for Donald Trump to be impeached from office and removed immediately, describing him as a “clear threat to our country and democracy” and a “very dangerous person”
• Vice President Mike Pence has said that he is against using the 25th amendment to remove Mr Trump from office
• President-elect Joe Biden has described those who stormed the US Capitol as “domestic terrorists” – describing Wednesday’s incident as an “assault on our liberty”
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Biden berates Trump and ‘domestic terrorists’
• Newspapers including The Wall Street Journal have called on Mr Trump to resign
• The president’s Facebook and Instagram accounts have been suspended “indefinitely” – at least until Mr Biden’s inauguration in 12 days’ time
• Education Secretary Betsy DeVos became the second cabinet minister to resign, telling Mr Trump: “There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation”
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Inside wrecked Capitol building
Shortly before Mr Trump’s video was released, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany gave a short statement in which she described the violence at the US Capitol as “appalling” and “reprehensible”.
In an address that lasted less than two minutes, she added: “Those who violently besieged our Capitol are the opposite of everything this administration stands for.”
Ms McEnany quickly left the podium without taking questions from reporters.
U.S. Capitol Police held protesters at gunpoint after they gained access to the Capitol
One Trump supporter held a Confederate flag as he walked through the building
The head of the US Capital Police has announced that he will resign on 16 January following the unprecedented security breach.
Steven Sund said the police had planned for a free speech demonstration and did not expect the violent attack, which allowed protesters to ransack government offices and occupy the building for several hours.
He described the incident as “unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years of law enforcement here in Washington DC”.
A senior federal prosecutor has said “all options are on the table” for charging members of the violent mob – including sedition charges.
More than 90 people have been arrested in Washington and more arrests are likely, with officials warning that it could take weeks to build cases against some of the rioters.
Other possible charges for the pro-Trump mob include civil disorder, destruction of property and rioting, experts say.
Before Wednesday’s unrest had took place, Mr Trump had told thousands of supporters: “All of us here today do not want to see our election victory stolen by emboldened radical Democrats.
“We will never give up. We will never concede. It will never happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore.”
Mr Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani also spoke, and called for “trial by combat”. He has since described the violence at the Capital as “shameful”.
