US police launch operation to expel protesters from Congress

Just before the curfew was introduced in Washington, several loud bangs could be heard as the police launched the operation to remove the protesters from Congress.

According to CNN reporters at the scene, it was the sound of tear gas grenades that exploded. 

Police launched the operation to remove the protesters from the Congress building and the area outside.

There is heavy damage to the buildings on the site, and several of the protesters told CNN that this is just the beginning and that they will continue protesting in the coming days.

Trump supporters strongly condemn DC incident

Several top Republicans said they are appalled by the scenes that are taking place in Washington. They condemned the uprising and asked Trump supporters to go home.

But even in the condemnation of Wednesday’s uprising, Republicans are wary of blaming Donald Trump, who has long said his supporters will not accept a “stolen” election. 

When he asked the protesters to go home on Wednesday, Trump repeated that the election had been stolen.

Josh Hawley, the senator who spearheaded the political protest against the Congress certifying Joe Biden’s victory, believes the protesters must be prosecuted.

“Violence must end”

“The violence must end, those who have attacked the police and broken the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must return to work and complete the task,” Hawley said, according to CNN.

Former Justice Minister William Barr also condemned the uprising.

“It is scandalous and shameful. Federal agencies should be deployed to resolve this,” Barr said.

Vice President Mike Pence, who was himself brought to safety when the uprising broke out, wrote that the attack would not be tolerated.

“Peaceful demonstrations are the right of all Americans, but this attack on our capital will not be tolerated, and those involved will be prosecuted as strictly as the law allows. The violence and destruction must end, and it must end now,” Pence wrote on Twitter.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today