Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arrive at the Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, on January 6, 2021.
Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – The FBI is asking the public to help identify the people who participated in the pro-Trump riots on the United States Capitol.
“We are taking tips and digital media portraying riots or violence in and around the United States Capitol on January 6,” said an FBI tweet.
“If you have witnessed illegal violent actions, we ask that you send any information, photos or videos that may be relevant to fbi.gov/USCapitol,” the agency said in a subsequent statement.
The confusion at the US Capitol resulted in the death of four people and led to 52 arrests. At least 14 policemen were injured, said DC police chief Robert Contee on Wednesday night.
A supporter of President Donald Trump carries a Conferderate battle flag on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol, near the Senate entrance, after breaching security defenses in Washington, January 6, 2021.
Mike Theiler | Reuters
The riots that erupted in Washington forced Congress to withdraw from the joint session that was scheduled to formally announce the victory of President-elect Joe Biden in the November election.
After the Capitol was secured, Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump was confirmed by Congress early on Thursday.
Trump, during a rally on Wednesday outside the White House, encouraged thousands of supporters to march to the Capitol to protest what has historically been a ceremonial procedure.
Trump returned to the White House after his speech. During the subsequent rebellion, Trump told his supporters in a tweeted video “you have to go home now”, but he did not condemn the violence and continued to falsely claim that he won the election.
Later, Twitter removed that tweet and blocked the president’s account.
In a statement on Thursday, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf asked Trump to “strongly condemn violence”, calling the events “tragic and unhealthy”.
Protesters enter the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump’s 306-232 electoral college.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
“This is unacceptable. These violent actions are unscrupulous and I implore the president and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that occurred yesterday,” said Wolf.
“Any appearance of incitement to violence by an elected official goes against who we are as Americans. Every American has the right to protest peacefully, but once these protests become violent, we must enforce our laws and bring those responsible to justice. , regardless of political motivations. “
In a tweet on Wednesday, Wolf wrote that those involved in the riot should be held responsible.
Other members of Trump’s cabinet have also criticized the violence harshly, but have never criticized the president.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday night, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the invasion of the United States Capitol “unacceptable”.
“Illegality and unrest – here or around the world – are always unacceptable,” wrote the country’s top diplomat. “We will quickly do justice to the criminals who were involved in this riot.”
Acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen said: “Violence against our nation’s Capitol building is an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy.”
Earlier Wednesday, the Justice Department sent hundreds of federal police and FBI agents, the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the US Marshals Service to help contain the protests.