It was unprecedented. You had seen it in other places in the world but not in the United States. After a decisive mandate by the people, President Donald Trump was expected to leave the White House gracefully. On the contrary, he resorted to all unimaginably vicious tactics to stay in power. Be it humbly conceding the defeat like his predecessors, refusing to accept people’s verdict, challenging the results in the court of law, threatening the Georgia secretary of state and fellow Republican to help him overturn his defeat or deliberately stoking the anger of his supporters. But the Trump era has finally ended with the U.S. Congress certifying Joe Biden as the 46th President of America.
And the end was grotesquely violent. Hours after his rally at Washington D.C, Donald Trump’s supporter laid siege to the Capitol, the legislative branch of the U.S. government, pulling down the barricades, clashing with the security officers, storming even the senate, the unruly scenes reportedly left several dead. But finally, democracy prevailed in America and outgoing President Donald Trump issued a statement promising an ‘orderly transition’ of power on January 20. However, he continued to disapprove the election results.
‘Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,’ Donald Trump said in a statement.
Despite his refusal to change his views, the statement was not easy to come. It followed sharp condemnations from all quarters and humiliations on social media, as both Twitter and Facebook suspended Donald Trump’s accounts for instigating his supporters. The final nail in the coffin was the U.S. Congress’ decision to reject the Republicans attempt to overturn Biden’s win in Pennsylvania. The Senate and House thwarted the challenge by a vote of 282 to 138.
Soon after the declaration, U.S Vice President Mike Pence officially affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s election results, ending the sense of uncertainty that loomed amid the attack on Capitol Hill, which many termed a coup attempt by the outgoing President.
While Trump will go down in American history as a divisive force, responsible for causing unrest and instability in the country, Vice President Mike Pence will be remembered for upholding democracy.
As the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate met for certification of Electoral College results, the Vice President lambasted the rioters before the proceedings.
‘To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people’s house,’ said Mike Pence.
A day before, when Donald Trump rallied his supporters, turning them into a violent mob, Pence for the first time publicly defied the President. While Trump had been trying to coerce him into rejecting the Electoral college vote the confirmed Joe Biden’s victory, Mike Pence rebuffed the President rejecting his demand.
‘My oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral vote should be counted and which should not,’ Vice President Mike Pence made this statement releasing a letter hours before the joint session of Congress.
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Meanwhile, the world watched aghast as the mob went on a rampage in the United States.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel vehemently condemned the violence at the Capitol blaming Donald Trump for the chaos.
‘He stoked uncertainties about the election outcome, and that created an atmosphere that made the events of last night possible,’ she said.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed shock at the incident and recalled the strong ties between the countries. Macron said, ‘We believe in the strength of American democracy.’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a peaceful transition of power in the U.S.
‘Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests, tweeted PM Modi.
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