World stunned by violence in US Capitol as Trump supporters cause chaos

World leaders on Wednesday night expressed shock at the violent protesters who overran the US Congress and attempted to overturn the November 3 presidential election results which dealt a victory to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Police in the US Capitol responded with drawn guns and tear gas as hundreds of protesters stormed in and sought to force Congress to undo outgoing President Donald Trump’s election loss shortly after some of Trump’s fellow Republicans launched a last-ditch effort to throw out the results.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a tweet described the scenes in the US Congress as a “disgrace”, saying the United States stood for democracy around the world and that was it was “vital” now that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracy’s enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the United States Capitol, and he called on Trump to acceptthe decision by US voters.

In a Tweet, Maas said the violence had been caused by inflammatory rhetoric. “Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was also quick to condemn the action and said: “Shocking scenes in Washington, DC. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a tweet: “I am following with concern the news coming from Capitol Hill in Washington. I trust in the strength of America’s democracy.

“The new Presidency of Joe Biden will overcome this time of tension, uniting the American people,” he said.