Donald Trump promises ‘orderly transition’ after Joe Biden certified as next US president amid Capitol chaos
- The statement came as staff resign and as congressional allies have abandoned Trump in the aftermath of his supporters laying siege to the Capitol
- For much of Wednesday afternoon, Trump reportedly watched the violence on television from his private dining room off the Oval Office
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20,” Trump said in a statement posted on Twitter by White House spokesman Dan Scavino early Thursday morning.
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US Congress certifies results of presidential election after Trump supporters storm the Capitol
“While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again,” Trump added, hinting at a potential 2024 run.
The statement came as staff resign and as congressional allies have abandoned him in the aftermath of throngs of his supporters laying siege to the Capitol on Wednesday. He had repeated his pledge that he would never concede at a rally earlier in the day.
Authorities said four people died during the violence. One woman was shot by an officer outside the House chamber, and three others died in “medical emergencies” during the occupation of the building, police said.
“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long,” Trump wrote in a message that was later deleted by Twitter. He added, “Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”