Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday delivered a blistering rebuke of President Donald Trump for “inciting” the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol that claimed at least five lives, including a Capitol Police officer, and left dozens injured.
“What we witnessed was an assault on democracy by violent rioters incited by the current president and other politicians,” Trudeau said during a Friday news conference.
“As shocking, deeply disturbing, and frankly saddening as that event remains, we’ve also seen this week that democracy is resilient in America,” he continued.
Trump on Wednesday led thousands of his supporters in Washington, D.C. to march on the Capitol as Congress counted the votes of the electoral college, urging them to “fight” and refuse to accept his clear loss to President-elect Biden.
Minutes later, a mob of Trump supporters overwhelmed Capitol Police, ransacked the Capitol, stormed toward the House and Senate chambers, and delayed the affirmation of Biden’s victory. The president was reportedly enthusiastic and his supporters rampaged through Congress.
Democratic congressional leaders are racing to impeach Trump for the second time in the wake of the attack, and several Trump administration Cabinet secretaries and officials have resigned after the riots.
While several foreign leaders have also condemned Trump, Trudeau has delivered the strongest rebuke of the president (video below).
PM @JustinTrudeau, responding to attack on #USCapitol. “We've also seen this week that democracy is resilient in America,”
“What we witnessed was an assault on democracy by violent rioters incited by the current president & other politicians,” #Cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/fuzGYYUaxj
— Jaro Giesbrecht🇨🇦 (@JaroGiesbrecht) January 8, 2021
