Trump acknowledges Biden victory a day after Capitol chaos, faces call for removal
President Donald Trump faced the threat yesterday of a second impeachment, a day after his supporters breached the US Capitol in a stunning assault on American democracy as Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
(MMO) – As Democratic leaders demanded his ouster, Trump came closer than he ever has to a formal concession, acknowledging a new administration would be sworn in on January 20 and vowing to ensure a “smooth transition” in a video released on Thursday evening.
The president condemned Wednesday’s violence, saying rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy and must be held accountable.
Just a day earlier, Trump had told supporters: “We love you. You’re very special,” as he urged them to go home after they broke into the Capitol.
In his remarks yesterday, the president said: “We have just been through an intense election, and the emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled and calm restored.
“We must get on with the business of America,” Trump, a Republican, added, adopting a conciliatory tone seldom seen from the mercurial president.
The statement was a stark reversal for Trump, who has spent months insisting he prevailed in the November 3 election, alleging widespread fraud despite no evidence. As recently yesterday morning, when he issued a statement via an aide, Trump was still claiming the election had been stolen.
In the video, he defended his efforts to challenge the election in court, saying his goal was to “ensure the integrity of the vote.”
