Political leaders from around the world have condemned the violence seen on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Thousands of pro-Donald Trump protestors broke into the Capitol building to disrupt the Presidential Confirmation Hearing taking place in a joint session of Congress.
The two chambers were evacuated, and the building locked down as police battled with protestors, taking four hours to eventually regain control of the complex.
The ceremonial hearing was eventually resumed, with Joe Biden confirmed as the 46th President of the United States early on Thursday.
Trump has since been criticised by politicians in America and worldwide, with several White House staff resigning and senior Republicans, including Mitt Romney and Mitch McConnell, condemning the president’s role in inciting violence.
His predecessor, Barack Obama, also released a statement which slammed the protests as a “moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation.”
The last Republican president, George W. Bush, released a statement yesterday criticising “the reckless behaviour of some political leaders since the election” and spoke of the “sickening and heartbreaking sight” of violence committed by “people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.”
Reaction has also poured in from worldwide, with multiple world leaders quick to decry the scenes.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, both tweeted their dismay as Home Secretary Priti Patel told the BBC that Trump was “absolutely wrong.”
At a press conference on Thursday evening regarding coronavirus vaccinations, Johnson again condemned the actions of the mob who stormed the Capitol.
He also reiterated his belief that Trump’s actions were “completely wrong”, adding:
“All my life America has stood for some very important things, an idea of freedom, an idea of democracy.
“In so far as he [Mr Trump] encouraged people to storm the Capitol, and in so far as the president has consistently cast doubt on the outcome of a free and fair election, I believe that was completely wrong.
“I unreservedly condemn encouraging people to behave in the disgraceful way that they did in the Capitol.”
In Europe, leaders including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called for an end to violence, while congratulating Mr Biden on his success.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said in a meeting with German MPs: “I deeply regret that President Trump has not conceded his defeat, since November and again yesterday.
“Doubts over the election outcome have been stoked and that created an atmosphere which made last night’s events possible.”
However, she said the confirmation of Joe Biden as the next president showed that “the forces of democracy have prevailed,” while French President Emmanuel Macron claimed: “What happened today in Washington DC is not America.”
However, former President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, encouraged further vigilance.
Other world leaders, including those of US allies such as India and Australia, also criticised attempts to hinder democracy.
Mr Biden will be inaugurated on 20 January following confirmation of his victory.
Mr Trump has promised an orderly transition of power but has repeated unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud, having had over 60 lawsuits dismissed following his defeat in the 3 November election.
Several White House staff have resigned following the riots, which left four people dead and over a dozen police officers injured.
By Callum Parke