Donald Trump attempted a coup, violated his oath of office and committed sedition. WION'S Palki tells you why Trump is the biggest challenge to America's democracy.

Gravitas: Donald Trump attempts a coup

Several images of pro-Trump mob storming inside the Capitol Hill splashed all over the internet on Wednesday. One photo of a man with an elaborate headgear caught everyone's attention and several thought it was singer Jay Kay.&nbsp; 
 
The frontman of group Jamiroquai noticed his name was trending as many mistook him as one of the rioters who breached the security of the US Capitol building.&nbsp;

Many seemed to confuse the two men thanks to their similar headwear.&nbsp; 
 
Jay had to ultimately clarify on Twitter as he wrote, "Good Morning Washington, loving the headgear, but not sure that's my crowd. Stay safe everyone, J xxx." 
 
The 51-year-old singer is often seen wearing opulent headwear while performing on stage. As a result, some were quick to believe that he was among the rioters photographed breaking into the Senate chamber on Wednesday with no shirt wearing red, white and blue face paint and what appeared to be Viking horns.&nbsp; 
 
The actual person has since then been identified as 32-year-old Jake Angeli, a noted staple at similar events in the Arizona area who is also known as the 'Q Shaman' due to his outlandish attire and support of the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to the New York Post.

Meanwhile, Jay Kay also shared a video of himself further explaining to the online community that he was not in fact in Washington DC.&nbsp;

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Good Morning Washington, loving the headgear, but not sure that's my crowd. Stay safe everyone, J xxx <a href="https://t.co/8Fuime28cc">pic.twitter.com/8Fuime28cc</a>
— Jamiroquai (@JamiroquaiHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamiroquaiHQ/status/1347166475388395521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Good morning world!" he said, "Now some of you may be thinking you saw me in Washington last night but I’m afraid I wasn’t with all those freaks."&nbsp;

Several images of pro-Trump mob storming inside the Capitol Hill splashed all over the internet on Wednesday. One photo of a man with an elaborate headgear caught everyone's attention and several thought it was singer Jay Kay.

Several images of pro-Trump mob storming inside the Capitol Hill splashed all over the internet on Wednesday. One photo of a man with an elaborate headgear caught everyone's attention and several thought it was singer Jay Kay. The frontman of group Jamiroquai noticed his name was trending as many mistook him as one of the rioters who breached the security of the US Capitol building. Many seemed to confuse the two men thanks to their similar headwear. Jay had to ultimately clarify on Twitter as he wrote, "Good Morning Washington, loving the headgear, but not sure that's my crowd. Stay safe everyone, J xxx." The 51-year-old singer is often seen wearing opulent headwear while performing on stage. As a result, some were quick to believe that he was among the rioters photographed breaking into the Senate chamber on Wednesday with no shirt wearing red, white and blue face paint and what appeared to be Viking horns. The actual person has since then been identified as 32-year-old Jake Angeli, a noted staple at similar events in the Arizona area who is also known as the 'Q Shaman' due to his outlandish attire and support of the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to the New York Post. Meanwhile, Jay Kay also shared a video of himself further explaining to the online community that he was not in fact in Washington DC. Good Morning Washington, loving the headgear, but not sure that's my crowd. Stay safe everyone, J xxx pic.twitter.com/8Fuime28cc — Jamiroquai (@JamiroquaiHQ) January 7, 2021 × "Good morning world!" he said, "Now some of you may be thinking you saw me in Washington last night but I’m afraid I wasn’t with all those freaks."

Singer Jay Kay denies being at the Capitol Hill as fans mistake him for one of the rioters

US President Donald Trump is facing a lot of flak after Capitol Hill violence but a new video has surfaced that will potentially bring more criticism his way. It is being reported&nbsp;now that Trump and his family were 'partying'&nbsp;just hours before his supporters laid siege to Capitol Building.

The video has been posted by none other than Donald Trump Jr. and has since gone viral as many people are sharing it online.&nbsp;

The video was posted by Trump Jr at 11:04 pm Indian Time on January 6, this means that it was around 12:30 pm in Washington on January 6. Donald Trump addressed his supporters shortly after. The Capitol Hill violence began in earnest at 1:30 pm local time.

Donald Trump Jr has taken down this&nbsp;video from his Facebook page now.

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Trump, Donald Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle and others watching the crowd getting fired up hours before they stormed the Capitol, and dancing in enjoyment while the song Gloria is playing. Seems premeditated, no? <a href="https://t.co/E6tHufOjiN">pic.twitter.com/E6tHufOjiN</a>
— Amy Siskind 🏳️‍🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) <a href="https://twitter.com/Amy_Siskind/status/1347303958679875589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The violence at the Capitol Hill and storming of the Capitol Building has left USA's image as a 'beacon of democracy' in tatters. Even US allies are unable to hide their shock and authoritarian regimes across the world have happily taken potshots at America.

Normally, a state-backed gang rampage in legislature for the demand of lost election to be nullified would have had&nbsp;US diplomats marching to their laptops to draft a statement of condemnation. But after the Capitol HIll violence, US has found itself at the receiving end on the world stage.

Capitol Hill violence has also become a PR disaster for Donald Trump. He was criticised for not making an appeal for calm early enough. It was only after President-elect Joe Biden appeared on television did Trump tweet a recorded video message appealing for calm.

But even in that video, Trump said that he loved&nbsp;the protesters and they were special

US President Donald Trump is facing a lot of flak after Capitol Hill violence but a new video has surfaced that will potentially bring more criticism his way. It is being reported now that Trump and his family were 'partying' just hours before his supporters laid siege to Capitol Building.

US President Donald Trump is facing a lot of flak after Capitol Hill violence but a new video has surfaced that will potentially bring more criticism his way. It is being reported now that Trump and his family were 'partying' just hours before his supporters laid siege to Capitol Building. The video has been posted by none other than Donald Trump Jr. and has since gone viral as many people are sharing it online. The video was posted by Trump Jr at 11:04 pm Indian Time on January 6, this means that it was around 12:30 pm in Washington on January 6. Donald Trump addressed his supporters shortly after. The Capitol Hill violence began in earnest at 1:30 pm local time. Donald Trump Jr has taken down this video from his Facebook page now. Trump, Donald Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle and others watching the crowd getting fired up hours before they stormed the Capitol, and dancing in enjoyment while the song Gloria is playing. Seems premeditated, no? pic.twitter.com/E6tHufOjiN — Amy Siskind 🏳️‍🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) January 7, 2021 × The violence at the Capitol Hill and storming of the Capitol Building has left USA's image as a 'beacon of democracy' in tatters. Even US allies are unable to hide their shock and authoritarian regimes across the world have happily taken potshots at America. Normally, a state-backed gang rampage in legislature for the demand of lost election to be nullified would have had US diplomats marching to their laptops to draft a statement of condemnation. But after the Capitol HIll violence, US has found itself at the receiving end on the world stage. Capitol Hill violence has also become a PR disaster for Donald Trump. He was criticised for not making an appeal for calm early enough. It was only after President-elect Joe Biden appeared on television did Trump tweet a recorded video message appealing for calm. But even in that video, Trump said that he loved the protesters and they were special

Video: Donald Trump was 'partying' just hours before Capitol Hill violence

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "I believe in the strength of US institutions and democracy. Peaceful transition of power is at the core.

'Joe Biden has a daunting task ahead of him', says EU chief Ursula von der Leyen over Capitol riots

The 25th Amendment says the vice-president and a majority of principal officers of the executive departments can provide a declaration to Congress that the president “is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.” This can remove the President of the United States and will appoint Vice President to the office.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls for Trump's removal through 25th Amendment after Capitol Ruckus

While protesting the police killing of a Black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, several years ago, Johnetta Elzie said she was manhandled by officers. She said they pointed rifles at Black women who were pushing toddlers in strollers and cursed at them to turn around.

Similar scenes unfolded all summer, as police officers clashed with scores of Black Lives Matter protesters. Many times, officers used batons and chemical agents to disperse crowds.

And so what Elzie saw on television Wednesday afternoon infuriated her: A mob of mostly white Donald Trump supporters stormed past police officers and vandalized the U.S. Capitol while officers, after initially offering resistance, mostly stood by. Some officers parted barricades, others held doors open and one was seen on video escorting a woman down steps.

“What a joke,” Elzie said. “I mean, they didn’t even pinch the white people. It wasn’t even like a family dispute. In a family dispute, you might at least hit your sister or something like that. This wasn’t even that. It was almost like tear gas was not readily available.”

Black Lives Matter activists across the country expressed outrage Thursday at what they said was a tepid response from law enforcement officers to mostly white protesters, saying it stood in stark contrast to the aggressive tactics they have endured for years — officers in full riot gear who have used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons. It also underscored the country’s uneven system of justice, many said, and lent credence to their insistence that Black people are devalued and viewed as inherently dangerous.

In a national address Thursday afternoon, President-elect Joe Biden acknowledged the seemingly disparate treatment, saying he had received a text message from his granddaughter who questioned the police response at the Capitol.

“She said, ‘Pop, this isn’t fair. No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matter protesting yesterday, they wouldn’t have been treated very, very differently than the mob of thugs that stormed the Capitol,’” he said, adding, “We all know that’s true. And it is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.”

Officials with the Capitol Police, a federal law enforcement agency responsible for securing the Capitol building, have defended Wednesday’s response, saying the officers were underprepared and overwhelmed by the pro-Trump mob.

Joel Shults, a former police chief of Adams State University in Colorado, said “the right balance of quelling a disturbance versus allowing the disorder to continue” was a difficult calculation for law enforcement to make. Every case presents its unique challenges, he said, adding that a lack of information and the location of Wednesday’s riot might have influenced the police’s response — and not the race of the largely white crowd that stormed the building.

“To have a lot of citizen-police violence on the steps of the Capitol,” he said, “I think it was really important that that not happen.”

Black activists noted that when they have planned protests, the police have rarely seemed ill-prepared. This week, for instance, National Guard troops descended on Kenosha, Wisconsin, and metal barricades were erected around that city’s courthouse the day before a prosecutor announced that no charges would be filed against an officer who shot a man, Jacob Blake, multiple times in the back last summer.

Last summer, a peaceful violin vigil in Aurora, Colorado, to memorialize a Black man who died during a police arrest was disrupted when officers in riot gear charged the park and dispersed pepper spray, sending families with children fleeing. Police argued that there was a small group of agitators among the crowd, a contention disputed by many in attendance, who had been sitting on the lawn listening to people play the violin when police descended.

And the day after the presidential election in November, hundreds of activists marched through the streets of Minneapolis, advocating for an end to police brutality. The group, which was spirited but peaceful and included parents with children, eventually marched onto an interstate. The plan was to walk to the next exit, something that should have only taken about 15 minutes, said Sam Martinez, one of the organizers.

Instead, the state police surrounded the group while on the highway and demanded that everyone sit down to be arrested. Local elected officials frantically tried to negotiate with authorities to let the demonstrators leave the highway, to no avail.

Police, saying that the demonstrators violated the law and endangered public safety by entering the highway, either arrested or cited and released nearly 650 protesters. The process took about five hours. Most were given misdemeanor charges, but a 19-year-old woman received felony riot charges for shining a laser pointer into the eyes of a police officer.

“It’s a glaring example of how unjust this system really is,” said Martinez, noting the disparity between the hundreds of arrests on the highway versus the handful of arrests at the Capitol. “If that had been us, there would have been way more than one casualty.”

The highway protest in Minneapolis came months after city police officers killed George Floyd, sparking widespread protests and calls for an end to systemic racism. Amid chaotic demonstrations in the days following the killing, police retreated from a police precinct headquarters, allowing protesters to descend on it and burn it down.

But even that was not comparable to what unfolded at the Capitol on Wednesday, said Jeremiah Ellison, a Minneapolis city councilman. In the days preceding the burning of the precinct, police had been firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters in what Ellison said he believed was an overreaction at times.

The police at the Capitol did not show that same hostility toward the demonstrators there, he said.

“I think the police will view a leftist protester with a gas mask as more dangerous than a right-wing protester with a semi-automatic rifle,” Ellison said.

Activists who protest the police say they believe they are targeted because of their criticism of law enforcement.

In a federal lawsuit against the city of St. Louis, a judge wrote in a 2017 ruling on a preliminary injunction that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on their claim that the Police Department “has a custom or policy of using chemical agents without warning on citizens” criticizing the police.

The lawsuit centers on the arrest of more than 120 people in 2017 during a protest of the acquittal of a white officer who killed a Black man in St. Louis. Earlier that evening, some protesters had broken windows and knocked over large flower pots downtown. Police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered people to leave.

Hours later, there were still dozens of people peacefully milling about a downtown street corner that was a few blocks from where police had told the crowd to leave. Officers eventually moved in and arrested everyone who was still out — sweeping up members of the Air Force who happened to be in the area and at least one journalist in the process.

Video of the mass arrest showed one officer firing pepper spray at the people being arrested, “who all appear to be on the ground and complying with police commands,” Judge Catherine Perry of U.S. District Court wrote in her injunction.

Javad Khazaeli, a lawyer representing several of the plaintiffs, said that even though his clients were peaceful, “The police made the choice to use violence.”

But the Capitol Police on Wednesday “made the choice” not to, he said. “It couldn’t be a more perfect example for everybody to see the two different criminal justice systems we have in America.”

While protesting the police killing of a Black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, several years ago, Johnetta Elzie said she was manhandled by officers. She said they pointed rifles at Black women who were pushing toddlers in strollers and cursed at them to turn around.

While protesting the police killing of a Black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, several years ago, Johnetta Elzie said she was manhandled by officers. She said they pointed rifles at Black women who were pushing toddlers in strollers and cursed at them to turn around. Similar scenes unfolded all summer, as police officers clashed with scores of Black Lives Matter protesters. Many times, officers used batons and chemical agents to disperse crowds. And so what Elzie saw on television Wednesday afternoon infuriated her: A mob of mostly white Donald Trump supporters stormed past police officers and vandalized the U.S. Capitol while officers, after initially offering resistance, mostly stood by. Some officers parted barricades, others held doors open and one was seen on video escorting a woman down steps. “What a joke,” Elzie said. “I mean, they didn’t even pinch the white people. It wasn’t even like a family dispute. In a family dispute, you might at least hit your sister or something like that. This wasn’t even that. It was almost like tear gas was not readily available.” Black Lives Matter activists across the country expressed outrage Thursday at what they said was a tepid response from law enforcement officers to mostly white protesters, saying it stood in stark contrast to the aggressive tactics they have endured for years — officers in full riot gear who have used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons. It also underscored the country’s uneven system of justice, many said, and lent credence to their insistence that Black people are devalued and viewed as inherently dangerous. In a national address Thursday afternoon, President-elect Joe Biden acknowledged the seemingly disparate treatment, saying he had received a text message from his granddaughter who questioned the police response at the Capitol. “She said, ‘Pop, this isn’t fair. No one can tell me that if it had been a group of Black Lives Matter protesting yesterday, they wouldn’t have been treated very, very differently than the mob of thugs that stormed the Capitol,’” he said, adding, “We all know that’s true. And it is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.” Officials with the Capitol Police, a federal law enforcement agency responsible for securing the Capitol building, have defended Wednesday’s response, saying the officers were underprepared and overwhelmed by the pro-Trump mob. Joel Shults, a former police chief of Adams State University in Colorado, said “the right balance of quelling a disturbance versus allowing the disorder to continue” was a difficult calculation for law enforcement to make. Every case presents its unique challenges, he said, adding that a lack of information and the location of Wednesday’s riot might have influenced the police’s response — and not the race of the largely white crowd that stormed the building. “To have a lot of citizen-police violence on the steps of the Capitol,” he said, “I think it was really important that that not happen.” Black activists noted that when they have planned protests, the police have rarely seemed ill-prepared. This week, for instance, National Guard troops descended on Kenosha, Wisconsin, and metal barricades were erected around that city’s courthouse the day before a prosecutor announced that no charges would be filed against an officer who shot a man, Jacob Blake, multiple times in the back last summer. Last summer, a peaceful violin vigil in Aurora, Colorado, to memorialize a Black man who died during a police arrest was disrupted when officers in riot gear charged the park and dispersed pepper spray, sending families with children fleeing. Police argued that there was a small group of agitators among the crowd, a contention disputed by many in attendance, who had been sitting on the lawn listening to people play the violin when police descended. And the day after the presidential election in November, hundreds of activists marched through the streets of Minneapolis, advocating for an end to police brutality. The group, which was spirited but peaceful and included parents with children, eventually marched onto an interstate. The plan was to walk to the next exit, something that should have only taken about 15 minutes, said Sam Martinez, one of the organizers. Instead, the state police surrounded the group while on the highway and demanded that everyone sit down to be arrested. Local elected officials frantically tried to negotiate with authorities to let the demonstrators leave the highway, to no avail. Police, saying that the demonstrators violated the law and endangered public safety by entering the highway, either arrested or cited and released nearly 650 protesters. The process took about five hours. Most were given misdemeanor charges, but a 19-year-old woman received felony riot charges for shining a laser pointer into the eyes of a police officer. “It’s a glaring example of how unjust this system really is,” said Martinez, noting the disparity between the hundreds of arrests on the highway versus the handful of arrests at the Capitol. “If that had been us, there would have been way more than one casualty.” The highway protest in Minneapolis came months after city police officers killed George Floyd, sparking widespread protests and calls for an end to systemic racism. Amid chaotic demonstrations in the days following the killing, police retreated from a police precinct headquarters, allowing protesters to descend on it and burn it down. But even that was not comparable to what unfolded at the Capitol on Wednesday, said Jeremiah Ellison, a Minneapolis city councilman. In the days preceding the burning of the precinct, police had been firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters in what Ellison said he believed was an overreaction at times. The police at the Capitol did not show that same hostility toward the demonstrators there, he said. “I think the police will view a leftist protester with a gas mask as more dangerous than a right-wing protester with a semi-automatic rifle,” Ellison said. Activists who protest the police say they believe they are targeted because of their criticism of law enforcement. In a federal lawsuit against the city of St. Louis, a judge wrote in a 2017 ruling on a preliminary injunction that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on their claim that the Police Department “has a custom or policy of using chemical agents without warning on citizens” criticizing the police. The lawsuit centers on the arrest of more than 120 people in 2017 during a protest of the acquittal of a white officer who killed a Black man in St. Louis. Earlier that evening, some protesters had broken windows and knocked over large flower pots downtown. Police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered people to leave. Hours later, there were still dozens of people peacefully milling about a downtown street corner that was a few blocks from where police had told the crowd to leave. Officers eventually moved in and arrested everyone who was still out — sweeping up members of the Air Force who happened to be in the area and at least one journalist in the process. Video of the mass arrest showed one officer firing pepper spray at the people being arrested, “who all appear to be on the ground and complying with police commands,” Judge Catherine Perry of U.S. District Court wrote in her injunction. Javad Khazaeli, a lawyer representing several of the plaintiffs, said that even though his clients were peaceful, “The police made the choice to use violence.” But the Capitol Police on Wednesday “made the choice” not to, he said. “It couldn’t be a more perfect example for everybody to see the two different criminal justice systems we have in America.”

Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol

The rally that began in support of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump </a>ended as a permanent and irreversible stain on the Trump presidency.&nbsp;

From vandalism to guards pointing guns, politicians ducking for cover to mob storming the seat of power to block the selection of a new leader, the scenes at the US Capitol looked like a Hollywood thriller.&nbsp;

The event left us with several questions, but let's look at how it unfolded.&nbsp;

In the beginning, Trump supporters gathered at the Ellipse, a 52-acre park in the south of the White House.

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These supporters were responding to a tweet by the US president asking them to be there and be wild.&nbsp;

Soon, thousands joined the rally and the sentiments started sunning high when Trump made a declaration that he will walk with the supporters all the way to the Capitol building.&nbsp;

"After this, we're gonna walk down and I'll be there with you. We're gonna walk down. We're gonna walk down anywhere you want. But I think right here, we're gonna walk down to the Capitol," said Trump.&nbsp;

The protesters started marching to the Capitol as Trump withdrew to the White House.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Congressmen started going inside the Capitol building

<h2>1:00 pm</h2>

US Vice President Mike opened the joint session where he refused to block election results and certified Joe Biden's victory.

Outside the Capitol, a scuffle began between Trump supporters and the police.&nbsp;

<h2>1:30 pm</h2>

The protesters stormed the building and some even scaled the walls.&nbsp;

Some people also walked up to the scaffolding set up for Biden's inauguration.&nbsp;

They broke through the security and entered the Capitol building.&nbsp;

A police officer tried to stop them as they made their way to the Senate chamber but to no avail.&nbsp;

<h2>1:45 pm</h2>

Visuals saw police officers on the floor of the house with their guns drawn.

Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were evacuated with both chambers suspended their deliberations.&nbsp;

<h2>2 pm</h2>

The protesters took control of the Capitol as they strolled through the building.&nbsp;

Some people posed for pictures inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.&nbsp;

Others sat on the seat of the speaker as the number of protesters outside to Capitol continue to swell.&nbsp;

<h2>2:30 pm</h2>

The rampage continued for close to an hour and Trump issued a plea on Twitter asking the protesters to "remain peaceful".

But, the violence did not stop and inside the building, a video surfaced of police attempting to treat a woman who was accidentally shot.

The woman later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.&nbsp;

US President-elect Biden asked Trump to step up and ask the protesters to stop.&nbsp;

"And this God awful display today is bringing home to every Republican and Democrat and Independent in the nation that we must step up. This is the United States of America. There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a thing we've tried to do that we've done it together and not been able to do it. So President Trump, step up. May God bless America. May God protect our troops and all those folks at the Capitol who are trying to preserve order," said Biden.&nbsp;

<h2>4:30 pm</h2>

After almost three hours of the siege, Trump asked protesters to go home but continued to denounce the election results.&nbsp;

"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. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home and go home in peace," said Trump.&nbsp;

<h2>5:30 pm</h2>

As the temperature dropped, the crowd outside the Capitol began to dissipate.&nbsp;

By dusk, only a few hundred remained.&nbsp;

Security forces announced that the Capitol building is now secured.

The House chambers were cleaned for the members to return to the joint session.&nbsp;

As the day ended, it was announced that four people died in the siege.&nbsp;

Trump who promised to march with the protesters did not show up. 
&nbsp;

The rally that began in support of President Donald Trump ended as a permanent and irreversible stain on the Trump presidency. From vandalism to guards pointing guns, politicians ducking for cover to mob storming the seat of power to block the selection of a new leader, the scenes at the US Capitol looked like a Hollywood thriller.

The rally that began in support of President Donald Trump ended as a permanent and irreversible stain on the Trump presidency. From vandalism to guards pointing guns, politicians ducking for cover to mob storming the seat of power to block the selection of a new leader, the scenes at the US Capitol looked like a Hollywood thriller. The event left us with several questions, but let's look at how it unfolded. In the beginning, Trump supporters gathered at the Ellipse, a 52-acre park in the south of the White House. Also read | Woman shot dead in US capitol violence was strong Trump supporter and military veteran These supporters were responding to a tweet by the US president asking them to be there and be wild. Soon, thousands joined the rally and the sentiments started sunning high when Trump made a declaration that he will walk with the supporters all the way to the Capitol building. "After this, we're gonna walk down and I'll be there with you. We're gonna walk down. We're gonna walk down anywhere you want. But I think right here, we're gonna walk down to the Capitol," said Trump. The protesters started marching to the Capitol as Trump withdrew to the White House. Meanwhile, the Congressmen started going inside the Capitol building 1:00 pm US Vice President Mike opened the joint session where he refused to block election results and certified Joe Biden's victory. Outside the Capitol, a scuffle began between Trump supporters and the police. 1:30 pm The protesters stormed the building and some even scaled the walls. Some people also walked up to the scaffolding set up for Biden's inauguration. They broke through the security and entered the Capitol building. A police officer tried to stop them as they made their way to the Senate chamber but to no avail. 1:45 pm Visuals saw police officers on the floor of the house with their guns drawn. Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were evacuated with both chambers suspended their deliberations. 2 pm The protesters took control of the Capitol as they strolled through the building. Some people posed for pictures inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. Others sat on the seat of the speaker as the number of protesters outside to Capitol continue to swell. 2:30 pm The rampage continued for close to an hour and Trump issued a plea on Twitter asking the protesters to "remain peaceful". But, the violence did not stop and inside the building, a video surfaced of police attempting to treat a woman who was accidentally shot. The woman later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital. US President-elect Biden asked Trump to step up and ask the protesters to stop. "And this God awful display today is bringing home to every Republican and Democrat and Independent in the nation that we must step up. This is the United States of America. There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a thing we've tried to do that we've done it together and not been able to do it. So President Trump, step up. May God bless America. May God protect our troops and all those folks at the Capitol who are trying to preserve order," said Biden. 4:30 pm After almost three hours of the siege, Trump asked protesters to go home but continued to denounce the election results. "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. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home and go home in peace," said Trump. 5:30 pm As the temperature dropped, the crowd outside the Capitol began to dissipate. By dusk, only a few hundred remained. Security forces announced that the Capitol building is now secured. The House chambers were cleaned for the members to return to the joint session. As the day ended, it was announced that four people died in the siege. Trump who promised to march with the protesters did not show up.

As Capitol siege sends shockwaves across the world, here's a timeline of how it unfolded

Hours after hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a harrowing assault on American democracy, a shaken Congress on Thursday formally certified Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory.

'Go home', says President Donald Trump to protesters after Biden urges him to end unrest

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Capitol Hill as hundreds of Donald Trump supporters surrounded and stormed the Capitol Building just when US lawmakers were gathered to certify Joe Biden's victory in US Presidential Elections 2020.

As Trump supporters surged through halls of the Congress, both the Houses were forced to halt proceedings. US Congress members were evacuated. Security inside the Congress had to even draw guns to deter the protesters.One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled, "Trump won that election." Protesters overturned barricades and clashed with police as thousands descended on the Capitol grounds.

<img alt="US Capitol hill violence" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5850403-7e80-4ba2-a668-0b5131d2c194" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YA9D3.jpg" />

Video showed protesters breaking windows and police deploying teargas inside the building. Local media reported that one person had been shot and video showed a person being wheeled from the building on a stretcher.

Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over the joint session of Congress, had already been escorted from the Senate.

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The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, addressed thousands of protesters, repeating unfounded claims that the contest was stolen from him due to widespread election fraud and irregularities.&nbsp;

<img alt="US Capitol hill violence" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="186b705b-69e1-486d-93b7-f2a18638f16e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8YA8P8.jpg" />

Lawmakers had been debating a last-ditch effort by pro-Trump lawmakers to challenge the results, an effort that was unlikely to succeed.

After situation at the Capitol Hill areas grew tense and violent, Washington Mayor&nbsp;Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew of 6 pm local time (2300 GMT)

This is an 'insurrection': Joe Biden

US President-elect in a LIVE address to the media denounced the event as an "insurrection". He said that this was not a protest.

"I call on President Trump to go on national television now to... demand an end to this siege," Biden said. "To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate... threatening the safety of duly elected officials? It's not a protest, it's insurrection."

He asked President Trump to "step up" to end the violence.

Shortly after his LIVE address Trump tweeted a recorded video and asked his supporters to "go home" but also said that he loved them.

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— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346928882595885058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Police overwhelmed

The security around the Capitol Building was beefed up anyway as the US Congress session was set to take place but sheer number of hundreds of Trump supporters overwhelmed police and other security services.

After the situation worsened, US National Guard was mobilised in Washington and neighboring states.

International condemnation

Developments at Capitol Hill drew international attention.

"Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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," tweeted UK PM Boris Johnson.

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Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1346926138057220103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian termed the developments "attack against&nbsp;democracy"

"The violent acts against American institutions are a grave attack against democracy. I condemn them. The American people's will and vote must be respected," he tweeted.

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The violent acts against American institutions are a grave attack against democracy. I condemn them. The American people's will and vote must be respected
— Jean-Yves Le Drian (@JY_LeDrian) <a href="https://twitter.com/JY_LeDrian/status/1346945178561609728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the situation in US was "shocking"

"Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected," he tweeted.

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Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/jensstoltenberg/status/1346917585535823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Election officials of both parties and independent observers have said there was no significant fraud in the Nov. 3 contest, which Biden won by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote.

(With agency inputs)

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Capitol Hill as hundreds of Donald Trump supporters surrounded and stormed the Capitol Building just when US lawmakers were gathered to certify Joe Biden's victory in US Presidential Elections 2020.

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Capitol Hill as hundreds of Donald Trump supporters surrounded and stormed the Capitol Building just when US lawmakers were gathered to certify Joe Biden's victory in US Presidential Elections 2020. As Trump supporters surged through halls of the Congress, both the Houses were forced to halt proceedings. US Congress members were evacuated. Security inside the Congress had to even draw guns to deter the protesters.One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled, "Trump won that election." Protesters overturned barricades and clashed with police as thousands descended on the Capitol grounds. Video showed protesters breaking windows and police deploying teargas inside the building. Local media reported that one person had been shot and video showed a person being wheeled from the building on a stretcher. Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over the joint session of Congress, had already been escorted from the Senate. Also Read | Democrats take control of U.S. Senate as they win second race in Georgia The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, addressed thousands of protesters, repeating unfounded claims that the contest was stolen from him due to widespread election fraud and irregularities. Lawmakers had been debating a last-ditch effort by pro-Trump lawmakers to challenge the results, an effort that was unlikely to succeed. After situation at the Capitol Hill areas grew tense and violent, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew of 6 pm local time (2300 GMT) This is an 'insurrection': Joe Biden US President-elect in a LIVE address to the media denounced the event as an "insurrection". He said that this was not a protest. "I call on President Trump to go on national television now to... demand an end to this siege," Biden said. "To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate... threatening the safety of duly elected officials? It's not a protest, it's insurrection." He asked President Trump to "step up" to end the violence. Shortly after his LIVE address Trump tweeted a recorded video and asked his supporters to "go home" but also said that he loved them. pic.twitter.com/Pm2PKV0Fp3 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 × Police overwhelmed The security around the Capitol Building was beefed up anyway as the US Congress session was set to take place but sheer number of hundreds of Trump supporters overwhelmed police and other security services. After the situation worsened, US National Guard was mobilised in Washington and neighboring states. International condemnation Developments at Capitol Hill drew international attention. "Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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," tweeted UK PM Boris Johnson. Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. 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. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 6, 2021 × French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian termed the developments "attack against democracy" "The violent acts against American institutions are a grave attack against democracy. I condemn them. The American people's will and vote must be respected," he tweeted. The violent acts against American institutions are a grave attack against democracy. I condemn them. The American people's will and vote must be respected — Jean-Yves Le Drian (@JY_LeDrian) January 6, 2021 × NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the situation in US was "shocking" "Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected," he tweeted. Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected. — Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 6, 2021 × Election officials of both parties and independent observers have said there was no significant fraud in the Nov. 3 contest, which Biden won by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote. (With agency inputs)

Donald Trump supporters storm US Capitol building during Joe Biden certification

Amid surprise and condemnation of violence at Capitol Hill in early hours of Thursday (Indian time), America is faking a lot of flak for the unprecedented events. Latest in the list are USA's cold war nemesis Russia. On Thursday, a high ranking Russian official said that American democracy was "limping on both feet".

"The losing side has more than enough grounds to accuse the winner of falsifications -- it is clear that American democracy is limping on both feet," Konstantin Kosachyov, the chair of the Russian upper house's foreign affairs committee, said in a post on Facebook.

USA always prides itself for being a 'beacon of democracy' and have advocated democratic setup in countries abroad, the reputation seems to have taken a sound being after the violence at Capitol Hill.

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&nbsp;

"The celebration of democracy has ended. It has, unfortunately, hit rock bottom, and I say this without a hint of gloating," said Kosachyov

"America no longer charts the course and so has lost all right to set it. And, even more so, to impose it on others," he added.

Moscow has long bristled at US criticism of the state of Russian democracy under President Vladimir Putin, accusing Washington of hypocrisy and condescension.

The Kremlin has been accused of fostering those divisions with a campaign of interference and disinformation, including alleged attempts to disrupt the 2016 election in Trump's favour that prompted an FBI investigation.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-finally-concedes-defeat-pledges-orderly-transition-after-congress-affirms-biden-win-355120">Trump finally concedes defeat, pledges 'orderly transition' after Congress affirms Biden win</a>

There was no immediate reaction from Russian foreign ministry following events at Capitol Hill but pro-Kremiln lawmakers jumped at the unrest.

"The United States certainly cannot now impose electoral standards on other countries and claim to be the world's 'beacon of democracy'," the foreign affairs chief in the lower house, Leonid Slutsky, told Russian news agencies.

He said Washington was suffering after having promoted "colour revolutions" around the world, like anti-Moscow uprisings in Ukraine and Georgia and the recent protests in Belarus.

"The boomerang of the colour revolutions is turning back on the United States," Slutsky said. "All this threatens to turn into a crisis in the American system of power."

Others appeared to use the events to justify Moscow's domestic policies.&nbsp;

Anton Gorelkin, a lawmaker on the lower house telecommunications committee, praised Twitter and Facebook for suspending Trump's accounts, saying it showed the need to better control social media.

"Social networks must work under strict rules within a legal framework. Because absolute freedom of information is becoming a weapon in the hands of extremists," he said in a post on his Telegram channel.

(With AFP inputs)

Amid surprise and condemnation of violence at Capitol Hill in early hours of Thursday (Indian time), America is faking a lot of flak for the unprecedented events.

Amid surprise and condemnation of violence at Capitol Hill in early hours of Thursday (Indian time), America is faking a lot of flak for the unprecedented events. Latest in the list are USA's cold war nemesis Russia. On Thursday, a high ranking Russian official said that American democracy was "limping on both feet". "The losing side has more than enough grounds to accuse the winner of falsifications -- it is clear that American democracy is limping on both feet," Konstantin Kosachyov, the chair of the Russian upper house's foreign affairs committee, said in a post on Facebook. USA always prides itself for being a 'beacon of democracy' and have advocated democratic setup in countries abroad, the reputation seems to have taken a sound being after the violence at Capitol Hill. × "The celebration of democracy has ended. It has, unfortunately, hit rock bottom, and I say this without a hint of gloating," said Kosachyov "America no longer charts the course and so has lost all right to set it. And, even more so, to impose it on others," he added. Moscow has long bristled at US criticism of the state of Russian democracy under President Vladimir Putin, accusing Washington of hypocrisy and condescension. The Kremlin has been accused of fostering those divisions with a campaign of interference and disinformation, including alleged attempts to disrupt the 2016 election in Trump's favour that prompted an FBI investigation. Also Read | Trump finally concedes defeat, pledges 'orderly transition' after Congress affirms Biden win There was no immediate reaction from Russian foreign ministry following events at Capitol Hill but pro-Kremiln lawmakers jumped at the unrest. "The United States certainly cannot now impose electoral standards on other countries and claim to be the world's 'beacon of democracy'," the foreign affairs chief in the lower house, Leonid Slutsky, told Russian news agencies. He said Washington was suffering after having promoted "colour revolutions" around the world, like anti-Moscow uprisings in Ukraine and Georgia and the recent protests in Belarus. "The boomerang of the colour revolutions is turning back on the United States," Slutsky said. "All this threatens to turn into a crisis in the American system of power." Others appeared to use the events to justify Moscow's domestic policies. Anton Gorelkin, a lawmaker on the lower house telecommunications committee, praised Twitter and Facebook for suspending Trump's accounts, saying it showed the need to better control social media. "Social networks must work under strict rules within a legal framework. Because absolute freedom of information is becoming a weapon in the hands of extremists," he said in a post on his Telegram channel. (With AFP inputs)

US democracy is 'limping', say the Russians

A visibly distraught but steely US President-elect Joe Biden appeared on US television and asked President Donald Trump to "step-up" and end the violent and unprecedented development at US Capitol Hill involving Trump supporters breaking into Capitol Hill to disrupt certification of Biden. Capitol Hill was a scene of unprecedented and surprsing events as Donald Trump-supporters stormed the area and broke into Capitol Building while US Lawmakers were certifying US Presidential Election 2020.

"This is not protest, this is insurrection," said Biden during his address.

"This has to end now," he added.

"At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault," the veteran Democrat said in Wilmington, after hundreds of Trump supporters protesting his election defeat swarmed the Capitol building and put the nation's lawmakers at risk.

Shortly after Biden's LIVE address to media,&nbsp;Donald Trump tweeted a recorded video message in which he was seen asking his supporters to "go home" but he also said that he loved them.

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— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346928882595885058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Hundreds of Trump supporters gathered near the Capitol Building and broke in during early hours of Thursday, January 7 (Indian time). The situation went so out of hand that security persons inside the building had to&nbsp;draw guns.

Prior to that US Senate and House of Representatives went into an emergency recess.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-take-control-of-us-senate-as-they-win-second-race-in-georgia-354952">Democrats take control of U.S. Senate as they win second race in Georgia</a>

An AFP photographer described a smoky substance in the air in the large circular space under the Capitol dome as 100 or more protesters gathered.

"Police have asked us to get gas masks out as there has been tear gas used in the rotunda," House Democrat Jim Himes said on Twitter.

A visibly distraught but steely US President-elect Joe Biden appeared on US television and asked President Donald Trump to "step-up" and end the violent and unprecedented development at US Capitol Hill involving Trump supporters breaking into Capitol Hill to disrupt certification of Biden.

A visibly distraught but steely US President-elect Joe Biden appeared on US television and asked President Donald Trump to "step-up" and end the violent and unprecedented development at US Capitol Hill involving Trump supporters breaking into Capitol Hill to disrupt certification of Biden. Capitol Hill was a scene of unprecedented and surprsing events as Donald Trump-supporters stormed the area and broke into Capitol Building while US Lawmakers were certifying US Presidential Election 2020. "This is not protest, this is insurrection," said Biden during his address. "This has to end now," he added. "At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault," the veteran Democrat said in Wilmington, after hundreds of Trump supporters protesting his election defeat swarmed the Capitol building and put the nation's lawmakers at risk. Shortly after Biden's LIVE address to media, Donald Trump tweeted a recorded video message in which he was seen asking his supporters to "go home" but he also said that he loved them. pic.twitter.com/Pm2PKV0Fp3 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021 × Hundreds of Trump supporters gathered near the Capitol Building and broke in during early hours of Thursday, January 7 (Indian time). The situation went so out of hand that security persons inside the building had to draw guns. Prior to that US Senate and House of Representatives went into an emergency recess. Also Read | Democrats take control of U.S. Senate as they win second race in Georgia An AFP photographer described a smoky substance in the air in the large circular space under the Capitol dome as 100 or more protesters gathered. "Police have asked us to get gas masks out as there has been tear gas used in the rotunda," House Democrat Jim Himes said on Twitter.

Capitol Hill violence: President Trump 'step up' and end this, says Biden

An Indian flag was spotted at the pro-Trump rally outside the US Capitol in Washington on Friday.&nbsp;

Amid the massive protests, which saw people carrying flags of the United States and of 'Trump 2020' and 'Trump 2024', one person also waived Indian tricolour.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-finally-concedes-defeat-pledges-orderly-transition-after-congress-affirms-biden-win-355120">Trump finally concedes defeat, pledges 'orderly transition' after Congress affirms Biden win</a>

The video of this incident went viral, with several people criticising the act as it was the US's internal matter and the protesters caused vandalisation in the Capitol Hill.&nbsp;

A user wrote that he appreciates "national pride", but the act is "ridiculous".

"What moron was waving the Indian flag there????? I'm all for national pride but this is ridiculous," he wrote on Twitter.

BJP Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi also slammed the act, saying it's a "fight, we definitely don't need to participate in".

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Why is there an Indian flag there??? This is one fight we definitely don’t need to participate in... <a href="https://t.co/1dP2KtgHvf">pic.twitter.com/1dP2KtgHvf</a>
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) <a href="https://twitter.com/varungandhi80/status/1347060127845634053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Senior Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said one must feel "ashamed" for holding the tricolour "in such violent &amp; criminal acts in another country".&nbsp;

"Whoever is waving this Indian flag should feel ashamed. Don't use our tricolour to participate in such violent &amp; criminal acts in another country," Chaturvedi wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Here are more comments.

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This Indian flag amongst this mob is very disturbing. Punish the culprit for disrespecting my country's flag. <a href="https://t.co/m93tyLTrrI">https://t.co/m93tyLTrrI</a>
— ElsaMarie D'Silva (she/her) (@elsamariedsilva) <a href="https://twitter.com/elsamariedsilva/status/1347135026610126848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Does the person with the Indian flag even *know* what they’re doing? <a href="https://t.co/6NWiKNIBMd">https://t.co/6NWiKNIBMd</a>
— Ew 2020! (@itsmethemaniacc) <a href="https://twitter.com/itsmethemaniacc/status/1347112547254640642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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But, in a hilarious post, comedian Vir Das advised the flag bearer that a large crowd does not imply a "cricket match".&nbsp;

"Dear random Indian dude waving Indian flag at the #CapitolRiots. Every large crowd IS NOT A CRICKET MATCH," Das tweeted.

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Dear random Indian dude waving Indian flag at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CapitolRiots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CapitolRiots</a> 
Every large crowd IS NOT A CRICKET MATCH!
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) <a href="https://twitter.com/thevirdas/status/1347070675157184513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, following pro-Trump protesters storming the Capitol Hill which caused mayhem, US Congress finally certified Joe Biden as the winner of 2020 presidential election.

President Donald Trump also conceded his defeat, despite implying that the election was not fair, saying there will be an "orderly transition".&nbsp;

"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," Trump said in a statement.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

An Indian flag was spotted at the pro-Trump rally outside the US Capitol in Washington on Friday. Amid the massive protests, which saw people carrying flags of the United States and of 'Trump 2020' and 'Trump 2024', one person also waived Indian tricolour.

An Indian flag was spotted at the pro-Trump rally outside the US Capitol in Washington on Friday. Amid the massive protests, which saw people carrying flags of the United States and of 'Trump 2020' and 'Trump 2024', one person also waived Indian tricolour. Also read | Trump finally concedes defeat, pledges 'orderly transition' after Congress affirms Biden win The video of this incident went viral, with several people criticising the act as it was the US's internal matter and the protesters caused vandalisation in the Capitol Hill. A user wrote that he appreciates "national pride", but the act is "ridiculous". "What moron was waving the Indian flag there????? I'm all for national pride but this is ridiculous," he wrote on Twitter. BJP Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi also slammed the act, saying it's a "fight, we definitely don't need to participate in". Why is there an Indian flag there??? This is one fight we definitely don’t need to participate in... pic.twitter.com/1dP2KtgHvf — Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) January 7, 2021 × Senior Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said one must feel "ashamed" for holding the tricolour "in such violent & criminal acts in another country". "Whoever is waving this Indian flag should feel ashamed. Don't use our tricolour to participate in such violent & criminal acts in another country," Chaturvedi wrote on Twitter. Here are more comments. This Indian flag amongst this mob is very disturbing. Punish the culprit for disrespecting my country's flag. https://t.co/m93tyLTrrI — ElsaMarie D'Silva (she/her) (@elsamariedsilva) January 7, 2021 × Does the person with the Indian flag even *know* what they’re doing? https://t.co/6NWiKNIBMd — Ew 2020! (@itsmethemaniacc) January 7, 2021 × But, in a hilarious post, comedian Vir Das advised the flag bearer that a large crowd does not imply a "cricket match". "Dear random Indian dude waving Indian flag at the #CapitolRiots. Every large crowd IS NOT A CRICKET MATCH," Das tweeted. Dear random Indian dude waving Indian flag at the #CapitolRiots Every large crowd IS NOT A CRICKET MATCH! — Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 7, 2021 × Meanwhile, following pro-Trump protesters storming the Capitol Hill which caused mayhem, US Congress finally certified Joe Biden as the winner of 2020 presidential election. President Donald Trump also conceded his defeat, despite implying that the election was not fair, saying there will be an "orderly transition". "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," Trump said in a statement.

Video of Indian flag spotted in pro-Trump rally at US Capitol goes viral

Singer Selena Gomez has called out social media platforms for their role in the riots that took place in the Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday.&nbsp; 
 
The singer shared a message on Twitter and explained that she felt the platforms and their top executives had a major role to play in the riots that attempted insurrection.&nbsp; 
 
"Today is the result of allowing people with hate in their hearts to use platforms that should be used to bring together and allow people to build community," Gomez wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

"Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai, Susan Wojcicki - you have all failed the American people today, and I hope you're going to fix things moving forward," she further added.&nbsp;

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. <a href="https://twitter.com/Facebook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/instagram?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twitter</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a>, Mark Zuckerberg, <a href="https://twitter.com/sherylsandberg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SherylSandberg</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jack</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sundarpichai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sundarpichai</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SusanWojcicki?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SusanWojcicki</a> <a href="https://t.co/df3ZLR5Ruk">pic.twitter.com/df3ZLR5Ruk</a>
— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) <a href="https://twitter.com/selenagomez/status/1346996209643376642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In her tweet, she tagged executives like Sheryl Sandberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and others. Her tweet came hours after thousands of pro-Trump supporters took to the Capitol, breaking barricades and storming inside. 
 
Thousands of the rioters shouting "Trump" and "USA, USA" overwhelmed the police and pushed the barriers around the Capitol and rushed after the joint session adjourned for the Senate and the House of Representatives met separately to consider objections to the Electoral College votes from Arizona. 
 
The riot started when Congress that was holding a joint session to ratify the Electoral College votes electing Democrats Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President.

Singer Selena Gomez has called out social media platforms for their role in the riots that took place in the Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday. The singer shared a message on Twitter and explained that she felt the platforms and their top executives had a major role to play in the riots that attempted insurrection.

Singer Selena Gomez has called out social media platforms for their role in the riots that took place in the Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday. The singer shared a message on Twitter and explained that she felt the platforms and their top executives had a major role to play in the riots that attempted insurrection. "Today is the result of allowing people with hate in their hearts to use platforms that should be used to bring together and allow people to build community," Gomez wrote on Twitter. "Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai, Susan Wojcicki - you have all failed the American people today, and I hope you're going to fix things moving forward," she further added. . @Facebook, @Instagram, @Twitter, @Google, Mark Zuckerberg, @SherylSandberg, @jack, @Sundarpichai, @SusanWojcicki pic.twitter.com/df3ZLR5Ruk — Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) January 7, 2021 × In her tweet, she tagged executives like Sheryl Sandberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and others. Her tweet came hours after thousands of pro-Trump supporters took to the Capitol, breaking barricades and storming inside. Thousands of the rioters shouting "Trump" and "USA, USA" overwhelmed the police and pushed the barriers around the Capitol and rushed after the joint session adjourned for the Senate and the House of Representatives met separately to consider objections to the Electoral College votes from Arizona. The riot started when Congress that was holding a joint session to ratify the Electoral College votes electing Democrats Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President.

Selena Gomez calls out social media platforms for aggregating the riots at Capitol Hill

The White House has revealed it is to end in-person briefings to congressional intelligence committees about foreign election interference, sparking accusations Saturday that it was covering up Russian help for President Donald Trump's reelection.

The move comes two months ahead of the general election, with Trump playing down the threat of foreign interference and accusing Democrats of leaking sensitive information.

US President Donald Trump's new director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, notified the House and Senate intelligence panels on Friday that the office would send written reports instead, giving lawmakers less opportunity to press for details as the November 3 election approaches.

Ratcliffe's office had offered to hold in-person briefings for the House and Senate oversight panels next month, even after concerns surfaced about leaks from previous meetings, a House committee official said. It later rescinded the offer.

The move drew heated rejoinders from Democratic lawmakers who have focussed on foreign efforts to sway the presidential election in 2016 and again this year.

"This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement on Saturday.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said this month that Russia, which orchestrated a hacking campaign to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour, was trying to "denigrate" Trump's 2020 Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. And it said China and Iran were hoping Trump is not re-elected.

Ratcliffe, a close political ally of Trump, is a former member of the House intelligence panel and was a vocal defender of the president during investigations of Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election. He told senators during his confirmation hearing this year that "the intelligence I deliver will not be subject to outside influence."

The White House has revealed it is to end in-person briefings to congressional intelligence committees about foreign election interference, sparking accusations Saturday that it was covering up Russian help for President Donald Trump's reelection.

The White House has revealed it is to end in-person briefings to congressional intelligence committees about foreign election interference, sparking accusations Saturday that it was covering up Russian help for President Donald Trump's reelection. The move comes two months ahead of the general election, with Trump playing down the threat of foreign interference and accusing Democrats of leaking sensitive information. US President Donald Trump's new director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, notified the House and Senate intelligence panels on Friday that the office would send written reports instead, giving lawmakers less opportunity to press for details as the November 3 election approaches. Ratcliffe's office had offered to hold in-person briefings for the House and Senate oversight panels next month, even after concerns surfaced about leaks from previous meetings, a House committee official said. It later rescinded the offer. The move drew heated rejoinders from Democratic lawmakers who have focussed on foreign efforts to sway the presidential election in 2016 and again this year. "This is a shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility to keep the Congress currently informed, and a betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement on Saturday. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said this month that Russia, which orchestrated a hacking campaign to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour, was trying to "denigrate" Trump's 2020 Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. And it said China and Iran were hoping Trump is not re-elected. Ratcliffe, a close political ally of Trump, is a former member of the House intelligence panel and was a vocal defender of the president during investigations of Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election. He told senators during his confirmation hearing this year that "the intelligence I deliver will not be subject to outside influence."

White House halts election security briefings to Congress

The US House Committee on Wednesday made to order an amendment which will further enhance defence cooperation with India.

"Reflecting the bi-partisan support in US Congress to strengthen the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-trade-talks-to-be-held-on-july-12-in-new-delhi-234691&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwioyaqzz6zjAhVqILcAHYrhDfsQFjAFegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ItLHL2SZ8dxhTfY6rcdJg">India-US</a> defence partnership, the House Rules Committee today made to order the bi-partisan Sherman amendment that seeks to promote bilateral defence cooperation by exploring additional steps to implement the major defence partner designation including through appropriate technology transfers," Capitol Hill source told ANI.

The amendment received the support from both Republican and Democrats members including Congressmen Brad Sherman, Joe Wilson, George Holding, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi.&nbsp;

The Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committee also supported the amendment. The Sherman amendment is a part of the House's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 2020.&nbsp;

The bill is currently under passage on the House Floor. As an understanding has already been reached on the bill and the selected amendments, it is in the process of being passed by a simple voice vote.

Notably, more than 680 amendments were submitted, this was among the very few that talked of strengthening defence relations with another country that was made to order by the Rules Committee.

Another amendment pertaining to India that was made to order is by Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) which is a reporting requirement for enhancing defence and security cooperation with India in the western Indian Ocean.&nbsp;

The US House Committee on Wednesday made to order an amendment which will further enhance defence cooperation with India. "Reflecting the bi-partisan support in US Congress to strengthen the India-US defence partnership, the House Rules Committee today made to order the bi-partisan Sherman amendment that seeks to promote bilateral defence cooperation by exploring additional steps to implement the major defence partner designation including through appropriate technology transfers," Capitol Hill source told ANI.

The US House Committee on Wednesday made to order an amendment which will further enhance defence cooperation with India. "Reflecting the bi-partisan support in US Congress to strengthen the India-US defence partnership, the House Rules Committee today made to order the bi-partisan Sherman amendment that seeks to promote bilateral defence cooperation by exploring additional steps to implement the major defence partner designation including through appropriate technology transfers," Capitol Hill source told ANI. The amendment received the support from both Republican and Democrats members including Congressmen Brad Sherman, Joe Wilson, George Holding, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi. The Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committee also supported the amendment. The Sherman amendment is a part of the House's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY 2020. The bill is currently under passage on the House Floor. As an understanding has already been reached on the bill and the selected amendments, it is in the process of being passed by a simple voice vote. Notably, more than 680 amendments were submitted, this was among the very few that talked of strengthening defence relations with another country that was made to order by the Rules Committee. Another amendment pertaining to India that was made to order is by Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) which is a reporting requirement for enhancing defence and security cooperation with India in the western Indian Ocean.

United States House to vote for further enhancing India-US defence cooperation

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics.&nbsp;

"We believe in the American dream, not in the socialist nightmare," he said to boisterous applause from hundreds of supporters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington.

"America will never be a socialist country," Trump added in a mammoth two-hour speech that seemed to draw energy from the fervent reception offered by some of his influential supporters in the room.

It was his first public appearance since coming home empty-handed, and to criticism from all sides, after a nuclear-disarmament summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. He told CPAC the meeting was "very productive" -- but that he would not "make a deal just for the sake of doing it."

The White House is also smarting from explosive testimony on Capitol Hill by Trump's former lawyer and fixer on Wednesday that branded him a cheat and a racist.

Trump, often speaking in mocking tones, portrayed the Green New Deal climate strategy touted by the left of the Democratic party as a socialist plan that will devastate the fossil fuel and automotive industries.

He said progressive healthcare policies would "lead to colossal tax increases" -- and accused the Democrats of having "totally abandoned the American mainstream" on issues such as immigration and abortion.

'These people are sick'

With the federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia reportedly approaching its conclusion, Trump again berated Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team as partisan hacks out to get him, adding that "these people are sick."&nbsp;

His voice dripping with sarcasm, he suggested that his call in summer of 2016 for Russia to find and release Hillary Clinton's emails was a joke that had been obtusely taken at face value by the media.

On the foreign front, Trump repeated his claim that the last Islamic State group fighters in Syria would be captured or killed imminently -- "as of tomorrow" -- after on Thursday telling US troops "we just took over" 100 per cent of the caliphate. Two weeks earlier Trump had declared the fall of the so-called caliphate would be announced, "over the next 24 hours."&nbsp;

He railed against Chinese tariffs on American goods and said the US loses $500 billion a year to the world's second-biggest economy -- "such a disaster."

Trump regularly ignores the dominant US services sector to focus only on goods, when in 2017 the US trade deficit with China was actually $337 billion -- not $500 billion.

Trump last year initiated a tariff war with Beijing, which has taken a nasty bite out of US growth. Although both sides say they are now close to resolving the dispute Trump insisted he's "fine with it" and told his supporters: "The beauty is this. I have $250 billion more to put tariffs on."

The word "socialism" has been in heavy rotation since some Democratic candidates began openly embracing liberal platforms including the Green New Deal and a Medicare for All.&nbsp;

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the four-day conference in National Harbor, Maryland, to warn that Democrats are taking a "hard left turn" ahead of 2020.

"Under the guise of Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, Democrats are embracing the same tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and stifled the liberties of millions over the last century. That system is socialism," he said.

Trump's speech came at the same time Senator Bernie Sanders, who has embraced the label of "democratic socialist," spoke at a rally in New York, assailing Trump as "the most dangerous president in modern American history."

'Freedom' or 'socialism'

It was Sanders' first major speech since announcing he will again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Republicans hoped Trump's address would serve as a diversion from the Mueller investigation and to the testimony this week on Capitol Hill by the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen implicating him in crimes.

In December a court sentenced Cohen to three years in prison for hush-money payments to two women and for lies to Congress -- both of which he said were to protect Trump -- and tax evasion.

During Cohen's testimony the president was in Vietnam where a high-stakes second summit between Trump and Kim broke up in disarray Thursday, without even a joint statement. The pair failed to reach an agreement on curbing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics.

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics. "We believe in the American dream, not in the socialist nightmare," he said to boisterous applause from hundreds of supporters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington. "America will never be a socialist country," Trump added in a mammoth two-hour speech that seemed to draw energy from the fervent reception offered by some of his influential supporters in the room. It was his first public appearance since coming home empty-handed, and to criticism from all sides, after a nuclear-disarmament summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. He told CPAC the meeting was "very productive" -- but that he would not "make a deal just for the sake of doing it." The White House is also smarting from explosive testimony on Capitol Hill by Trump's former lawyer and fixer on Wednesday that branded him a cheat and a racist. Trump, often speaking in mocking tones, portrayed the Green New Deal climate strategy touted by the left of the Democratic party as a socialist plan that will devastate the fossil fuel and automotive industries. He said progressive healthcare policies would "lead to colossal tax increases" -- and accused the Democrats of having "totally abandoned the American mainstream" on issues such as immigration and abortion. 'These people are sick' With the federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia reportedly approaching its conclusion, Trump again berated Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team as partisan hacks out to get him, adding that "these people are sick." His voice dripping with sarcasm, he suggested that his call in summer of 2016 for Russia to find and release Hillary Clinton's emails was a joke that had been obtusely taken at face value by the media. On the foreign front, Trump repeated his claim that the last Islamic State group fighters in Syria would be captured or killed imminently -- "as of tomorrow" -- after on Thursday telling US troops "we just took over" 100 per cent of the caliphate. Two weeks earlier Trump had declared the fall of the so-called caliphate would be announced, "over the next 24 hours." He railed against Chinese tariffs on American goods and said the US loses $500 billion a year to the world's second-biggest economy -- "such a disaster." Trump regularly ignores the dominant US services sector to focus only on goods, when in 2017 the US trade deficit with China was actually $337 billion -- not $500 billion. Trump last year initiated a tariff war with Beijing, which has taken a nasty bite out of US growth. Although both sides say they are now close to resolving the dispute Trump insisted he's "fine with it" and told his supporters: "The beauty is this. I have $250 billion more to put tariffs on." The word "socialism" has been in heavy rotation since some Democratic candidates began openly embracing liberal platforms including the Green New Deal and a Medicare for All. On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the four-day conference in National Harbor, Maryland, to warn that Democrats are taking a "hard left turn" ahead of 2020. "Under the guise of Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, Democrats are embracing the same tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and stifled the liberties of millions over the last century. That system is socialism," he said. Trump's speech came at the same time Senator Bernie Sanders, who has embraced the label of "democratic socialist," spoke at a rally in New York, assailing Trump as "the most dangerous president in modern American history." 'Freedom' or 'socialism' It was Sanders' first major speech since announcing he will again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Republicans hoped Trump's address would serve as a diversion from the Mueller investigation and to the testimony this week on Capitol Hill by the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen implicating him in crimes. In December a court sentenced Cohen to three years in prison for hush-money payments to two women and for lies to Congress -- both of which he said were to protect Trump -- and tax evasion. During Cohen's testimony the president was in Vietnam where a high-stakes second summit between Trump and Kim broke up in disarray Thursday, without even a joint statement. The pair failed to reach an agreement on curbing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump warns conservatives against 'socialist nightmare'

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg started the second day of testimony on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, facing more questions from lawmakers about data privacy at the world`s largest social media network.

The 33-year-old internet magnate, once again wearing a dark suit instead of his usual grey T-shirt, appeared before the US&nbspHouse of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, a day after he took questions for nearly five hours in a US&nbspSenate hearing.&nbsp

He navigated through the first hearing on Tuesday without making any further promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business, foiling attempts by senators to pin him down.&nbsp

Investors were impressed with his initial performance. Shares in Facebook posted their biggest daily gain in nearly two years on Tuesday, closing up 4.5 percent. They were down slightly in early trading on Wednesday.&nbsp

Facebook has been consumed by turmoil for nearly a month, since it came to light that millions of users` personal information was wrongly harvested from the website by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted US&nbspPresident

Donald Trump`s election campaign among its clients. The latest estimate of affected users is up to 87 million.&nbsp

Patience with the social network had already worn thin among users, advertisers and investors after the company said last year that Russia used Facebook for years to try to sway U.S. politics, an allegation Moscow denies.&nbsp

Lawmakers have sought assurances that Facebook can effectively police itself, and few came away from Tuesday`s hearing expressing confidence in the social network.&nbsp

"I don`t want to vote to have to regulate Facebook, but by God, I will," Republican Senator John Kennedy told Zuckerberg on Tuesday. "A lot of that depends on you."&nbsp

Zuckerberg deflected requests to support specific legislation. Pressed repeatedly by Democratic Senator Ed Markey to endorse a proposed law that would require companies to get people`s permission before sharing personal information, Zuckerberg agreed to further talks.&nbsp

"In principle, I think that that makes sense, and the details matter and I look forward to having our team work with you on fleshing that out," Zuckerberg said.&nbsp

The 33-year-old internet magnate, once again wearing a dark suit instead of his usual grey T-shirt, appeared before the U.S

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg started the second day of testimony on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, facing more questions from lawmakers about data privacy at the world`s largest social media network. The 33-year-old internet magnate, once again wearing a dark suit instead of his usual grey T-shirt, appeared before the US&nbspHouse of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, a day after he took questions for nearly five hours in a US&nbspSenate hearing. He navigated through the first hearing on Tuesday without making any further promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business, foiling attempts by senators to pin him down. Investors were impressed with his initial performance. Shares in Facebook posted their biggest daily gain in nearly two years on Tuesday, closing up 4.5 percent. They were down slightly in early trading on Wednesday. Facebook has been consumed by turmoil for nearly a month, since it came to light that millions of users` personal information was wrongly harvested from the website by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted US&nbspPresident Donald Trump`s election campaign among its clients. The latest estimate of affected users is up to 87 million. Patience with the social network had already worn thin among users, advertisers and investors after the company said last year that Russia used Facebook for years to try to sway U.S. politics, an allegation Moscow denies. Lawmakers have sought assurances that Facebook can effectively police itself, and few came away from Tuesday`s hearing expressing confidence in the social network. "I don`t want to vote to have to regulate Facebook, but by God, I will," Republican Senator John Kennedy told Zuckerberg on Tuesday. "A lot of that depends on you." Zuckerberg deflected requests to support specific legislation. Pressed repeatedly by Democratic Senator Ed Markey to endorse a proposed law that would require companies to get people`s permission before sharing personal information, Zuckerberg agreed to further talks. "In principle, I think that that makes sense, and the details matter and I look forward to having our team work with you on fleshing that out," Zuckerberg said.

Facebook CEO starts second day of US congressional hearings

Republican leaders of the US Congress said on Tuesday they would not raise the minimum age for gun buyers, in a sign that one of President Donald Trump&#39;s proposals likely will not get far on Capitol Hill after a deadly Florida school shooting.

The second-deadliest shooting at a US public school has reignited the long-running national debate over gun rights, pitting many of the students who survived the February 14 high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, against powerful gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association.

Several of those students visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to press Congress to enact new restrictions on gun ownership.

Republicans in Congress have rejected those efforts after similar mass shootings in the past, and party leaders said they were not likely to act this time either.

&quot;We shouldn&#39;t be banning guns from law-abiding citizens. We should be focusing on making sure that citizens who should not get guns in the first place don&#39;t get those guns,&quot; House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan told a news conference.

Trump has suggested arming teachers and raising the minimum age to buy semiautomatic rifles to 21 from 18, but Ryan said Congress was not likely to act on either idea.

Local governments, not Congress, should decide whether to arm teachers, he said.

Trump still supports raising the age limit and will release specific policy proposals this week, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Ryan&#39;s comments made it clear that more aggressive gun limits, like a ban on the military-style rifle used by the 19-year-old Parkland shooter, were unlikely to gain traction in Congress.

Ryan met later in the day with Parkland students, who pushed for a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, as well as other school-safety features, said Representative Ted Deutch, a Democrat who represents the district.

&quot;This isn&#39;t the last time they&#39;re going to come to Washington,&quot; Deutch said. &quot;It&#39;s really just the beginning of that effort.&quot;

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Prosecutors have said Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland with a legally purchased rifle. Federal and local law enforcement agencies have acknowledged receiving multiple warnings about Cruz&#39;s potential for violence.

Trump and his fellow Republicans are under pressure to act following the massacre, but they also must avoid angering Republican voters who broadly support gun rights as well as interest groups like the NRA, which spent $55 million in the 2016 election. 
The House voted in December to bolster a database of people not legally allowed to buy guns and to spur federal agencies and states to upload more data into the system after the Air Force failed to provide records that could have flagged a former service member who killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November.

That legislation has broad support in the Senate as well, and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the chamber&#39;s No. 2 Republican, said he wanted a vote to take place this week.

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer said that measure by itself would not be adequate. He called for Congress to expand the background check system to cover all gun sales, including those conducted at gun shows and over the internet.

That legislation has failed in Congress twice over the past five years, and it fell short again in the House on Tuesday as Republicans rejected an effort by Democrats to bring it up for a vote.

&quot;We Democrats, at a minimum, believe we should be passing a universal background check legislation that assures that guns don&#39;t fall into the wrong hands,&quot; Schumer told reporters. 
The White House does not back that idea, Sanders said.

ACTION IN FLORIDA

As Congress has failed to tighten gun laws after other mass shootings, states have taken action on their own.

A House of Representatives committee of the Republican-controlled Florida legislature voted on Tuesday to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing all rifles to 21 from 18 and impose a three-day waiting period for any gun purchases. Buyers of handguns must already be at least 21 and submit to a three-day wait.

The measure would also create a statewide program to arm specially trained teachers - subject to school district approval - while assigning more police as school resource officers and allowing police to confiscate weapons from people who are involuntarily committed as a danger to themselves or others.

In addition, the measure would outlaw the sale of bump stocks, devices that enable semiautomatic rifles to be operated as fully automatic machine guns. The panel rejected a Democratic-backed amendment to ban assault-style weapons.

The package must now win approval in the full legislature before it goes to Republican Governor Rick Scott for signature.

Cruz, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder, was due back in court on Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether he has sufficient assets to pay for his own lawyer. His mother died in November.

Stoneman Douglas students were scheduled to return to class on Wednesday for the first time since the massacre. The building where most of the bloodshed occurred will remain closed. The bill adopted by a state House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday would provide funding to demolish the building and replace it with a memorial to shooting victims.

The second-deadliest shooting at a US public school has reignited the long-running national debate over gun rights

Republican leaders of the US Congress said on Tuesday they would not raise the minimum age for gun buyers, in a sign that one of President Donald Trump's proposals likely will not get far on Capitol Hill after a deadly Florida school shooting. The second-deadliest shooting at a US public school has reignited the long-running national debate over gun rights, pitting many of the students who survived the February 14 high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, against powerful gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association. Several of those students visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to press Congress to enact new restrictions on gun ownership. Republicans in Congress have rejected those efforts after similar mass shootings in the past, and party leaders said they were not likely to act this time either. "We shouldn't be banning guns from law-abiding citizens. We should be focusing on making sure that citizens who should not get guns in the first place don't get those guns," House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan told a news conference. Trump has suggested arming teachers and raising the minimum age to buy semiautomatic rifles to 21 from 18, but Ryan said Congress was not likely to act on either idea. Local governments, not Congress, should decide whether to arm teachers, he said. Trump still supports raising the age limit and will release specific policy proposals this week, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Ryan's comments made it clear that more aggressive gun limits, like a ban on the military-style rifle used by the 19-year-old Parkland shooter, were unlikely to gain traction in Congress. Ryan met later in the day with Parkland students, who pushed for a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, as well as other school-safety features, said Representative Ted Deutch, a Democrat who represents the district. "This isn't the last time they're going to come to Washington," Deutch said. "It's really just the beginning of that effort." BACKGROUND CHECKS Prosecutors have said Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland with a legally purchased rifle. Federal and local law enforcement agencies have acknowledged receiving multiple warnings about Cruz's potential for violence. Trump and his fellow Republicans are under pressure to act following the massacre, but they also must avoid angering Republican voters who broadly support gun rights as well as interest groups like the NRA, which spent $55 million in the 2016 election. The House voted in December to bolster a database of people not legally allowed to buy guns and to spur federal agencies and states to upload more data into the system after the Air Force failed to provide records that could have flagged a former service member who killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November. That legislation has broad support in the Senate as well, and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the chamber's No. 2 Republican, said he wanted a vote to take place this week. Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer said that measure by itself would not be adequate. He called for Congress to expand the background check system to cover all gun sales, including those conducted at gun shows and over the internet. That legislation has failed in Congress twice over the past five years, and it fell short again in the House on Tuesday as Republicans rejected an effort by Democrats to bring it up for a vote. "We Democrats, at a minimum, believe we should be passing a universal background check legislation that assures that guns don't fall into the wrong hands," Schumer told reporters. The White House does not back that idea, Sanders said. ACTION IN FLORIDA As Congress has failed to tighten gun laws after other mass shootings, states have taken action on their own. A House of Representatives committee of the Republican-controlled Florida legislature voted on Tuesday to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing all rifles to 21 from 18 and impose a three-day waiting period for any gun purchases. Buyers of handguns must already be at least 21 and submit to a three-day wait. The measure would also create a statewide program to arm specially trained teachers - subject to school district approval - while assigning more police as school resource officers and allowing police to confiscate weapons from people who are involuntarily committed as a danger to themselves or others. In addition, the measure would outlaw the sale of bump stocks, devices that enable semiautomatic rifles to be operated as fully automatic machine guns. The panel rejected a Democratic-backed amendment to ban assault-style weapons. The package must now win approval in the full legislature before it goes to Republican Governor Rick Scott for signature. Cruz, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder, was due back in court on Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether he has sufficient assets to pay for his own lawyer. His mother died in November. Stoneman Douglas students were scheduled to return to class on Wednesday for the first time since the massacre. The building where most of the bloodshed occurred will remain closed. The bill adopted by a state House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday would provide funding to demolish the building and replace it with a memorial to shooting victims.

US congressional Republicans reject new limits on guns

US Senate today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-government-shutdown-to-begin-at-midnight-as-senate-adjourns-32283">passed a bill in a&nbsp;bid to end</a> the government shutdown after the senators failed to get the funding vote beyond the 12:00 am deadline earlier.

After the shutdown, the house opted to close and then reopen at 12:01 am. This is the US government&#39;s second shutdown in three weeks.

The bipartisan vote was passed with 71 to 28 margin and is now headed to the House of Representatives for a pre-dawn Friday vote. After it is passed by the lower chamber of Congress it will then be signed by President Trump which will officially bring the shutdown to an end.

The fate of the bill remains uncertain in the lower chamber with both liberals and conservatives against each on several Budget proposals including the issue of allowing undocumented immigrants from deportation.

US Senate today passed a bill in bid to end the government shutdown

US Senate today passed a bill in a bid to end the government shutdown after the senators failed to get the funding vote beyond the 12:00 am deadline earlier. After the shutdown, the house opted to close and then reopen at 12:01 am. This is the US government's second shutdown in three weeks. The bipartisan vote was passed with 71 to 28 margin and is now headed to the House of Representatives for a pre-dawn Friday vote. After it is passed by the lower chamber of Congress it will then be signed by President Trump which will officially bring the shutdown to an end. The fate of the bill remains uncertain in the lower chamber with both liberals and conservatives against each on several Budget proposals including the issue of allowing undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Senate clears bill in a bid to end US shutdown

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