President-elect
Joe Biden at the Capitol during his speech on Wednesday.
Biden said: "Let me be very clear:
The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America.
Do not represent who we are.
What we're seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness.
"This is not dissent. It's disorder, it's chaos, it borders on sedition. And it must end now...
"To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks... On the Capitol, on the House of Representatives, threatening the safety of duly elected officials... It's not protest, it's insurrection."
Former President
George W. Bush
Bush said:
"The violent assault on the Capitol—and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress—was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.
"Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation.
In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law."
Mitt Romney said:
"We gather today due to a selfish man's injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months and stirred to action this very morning.
"What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the president of the United States."
Former White House Communications Director
Anthony Scaramucci said
Trump "cheered the insurrection" and called for his removal in a
Twitter post on Thursday:
"Trump's terrorists rolled into Capitol [with] guns, mace and zip-tie handcuffs.
They planned to take hostages and likely perform executions, ala the Michigan statehouse plot.
"President Trump incited and cheered the insurrection.
He should be immediately removed from office and prosecuted."
What Does Insurrection or Sedition Mean? Definition of Words Used To Describe Capitol Riot (newsweek.com)