US Congress confirms Biden win after pro-Trump mob storms Capitol
Objections to result over electoral fraud allegations soundly defeated
Joe Biden has been confirmed by Congress as the 46th President of the United States, hours after a mob incited by President Trump stormed and occupied the Capitol building, resulting in the death of one woman.
Senators and House Representatives certified the electoral college votes in the early hours of Thursday morning in Washington as America reeled at the scenes of anarchy overnight, where Trump supporters were allowed to roam freely throughout the Capitol vandalising and looting property.
The world was treated to scenes of intruders sitting in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and climbing into the Senate chamber where they took turns posing for photographs on the dais. A woman was shot by police and later died of her wounds in hospital, officials confirmed.
Crowds were dispersed by police using teargas and concussion grenades as the nation’s capital was placed under a 12-hour curfew. Lawmakers resumed the normally rudimentary process of confirming Biden’s win in last November’s election.
However, the process was more drawn out than usual after more than 130 Congress members hitched themselves to Trump’s wagon and supported his endlessly baseless claims of electoral fraud. This meant that each objection was debated, and soundly defeated.
Trump himself, having whipped up the crowd and instructed them to March on the Capitol, refused to condemn the violence, instead telling his supporters via social media that he loved them and they were "special people".
His antics as the hours progressed led to Twitter and Facebook both suspending his accounts for fear of him inciting more violence, and the world now faced a president who had been banned from social media but still had access to the largest nuclear arsenal on the planet.