By: RYAN MERRIFIELD
Donald Trump has condemned the Capitol Hill violence after being impeached for an unprecedented second time.
In a video released on the White House Twitter page which lasts just over five minutes, the US President promised those who engaged in last week’s “troubling” attack will be “brought to justice”.
He added that everyone who has supported his agenda should look for ways to ease tensions amid fears similar incidents could occur as Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20.
Trump did not mention the efforts to oust him from office at the same time House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was signing the article of impeachment against him that her chamber passed earlier in the day.
The House voted 232 to 197 in favour of impeachment for inciting insurrection during the riot which saw five people die.
His own personal accounts have been banned indefinitely from Twitter and Facebook after the social media platforms deemed his posts during the chaos to be encouraging violence.
He was also given a YouTube ban, lasting a minimum of seven days.
He repeatedly ignored calls to order the rioters to back down in the midst of the stand-off, which saw fanatical supporters – many of who were armed – maraud through the corridors of the Capitol, including entering the Senate chamber.
Members of Congress and other staff were forced to flee and, in some cases, barricade themselves away from the rioters.
During The January 6, violence the disgraced Republican leader attempted to distance himself from the Capitol riots saying “no true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence.”
Speaking from the Oval Office, he said: “I want to be very clear, I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week.
“Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.”
He added: “Mob violence goes against everything I believe in.”
The article now will go to the Senate for an impeachment trial.
Hundreds of National Guard members are currently present at the Capitol complex, with video footage showing some sleeping on the floor in between shifts.
US security forces are mounting a national operation to thwart any violence before President-elect Biden takes office.
Federal and state officials are evaluating online threats and menacing messages to members of Congress and making sure the security operation has the force to repel an attack.
One police officer and four protesters died in the Capitol siege, which began after Trump called on thousands of supporters to march on Congress in a bid to stop the final certification of Biden’s election victory.
Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed he won the November election, citing widespread fraud but without supplying any evidence.