Phil Scott, governor of Vermont, says US President Donald Trump should resign or be removed from office, following the invasion of the congress by protesters on Wednesday.
Trump had addressed hundreds of his supporters on Wednesday, and shortly afterwards, demonstrators stormed the Capitol Hill during the process of certifying the November 3 presidential election, forcing a hasty evacuation of lawmakers to safety.
Scott, a member of the Republican Party as Trump, condemned the invasion of the US congress, describing it as “an attack” on the country’s democracy.
One person has been confirmed dead, but many of the protesters have refused to leave, despite a curfew imposed on Washington DC.
According to Scott, the president should be blamed for the “insurrection” – Trump has repeatedly refused to concede defeat after losing the presidential election to Joe Biden of the Democratic Party.
“This is a very disturbing time for our nation. What we are seeing today at the U.S. Capitol is not a peaceful protest – it is an unacceptable attack on our democracy,” the governor wrote in a post on his verified Twitter handle.
“The rioters have actively assaulted police officers, and they should immediately evacuate the Capitol building or be removed.
“Make no mistake, the President of the United States is responsible for this event. President Trump has orchestrated a campaign to cause an insurrection that overturns the results of a free, fair and legal election.
“The fact is the results of this election have been validated by Republican governors, conservative judges and non-partisan election officials across the country.
“There is no doubt that the President’s delusion, fabrication, self-interest, and ego have led us – step by step – to this very low, and very dangerous, moment in American history. The fabric of our democracy and the principles of our republic are under attack by the President. Enough is enough.
“President Trump should resign or be removed from office by his Cabinet, or by the Congress.”