VICE PRESIDENT Mike Pence has hit out at the Donald Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday as Congress conducted its official count of Electoral College votes.
Pence officially distanced himself from Trump, whom he received criticism from for failing to back the outgoing president's continued claims of electoral fraud.
Pence condemned the rioters who broke into the Capitol building and who clashed with police, which eventually resulted in the deaths of four people, including one woman who was shot as she tried to climb through a window.
Speaking on Senate TV, Pence described yesterday as "a dark day" in America's history.
"Thanks to the swift efforts of US Capitol police, federal, state and local law enforcement, the violence was quelled.
"The Capitol is secured, and the people's work continues.
"We condemn the violence that took place here, in the strongest possible terms.
"We grieve the loss of life, in these hallowed halls, as well as the injuries suffered by those who defended our Capitol today.
"And we will always be grateful to the men and women who stayed at their posts, to defend this historic place.
"To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today: You did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people's house.
"And as we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy, for even in the wake of unprecedented violence, vandalism at this Capitol, the elected representatives of the people of the United States have assembled again, the very same day to support and defend the constitution of the United States.
"So may God bless the loss, the injured, and the heroes forged on this day, may god bless all who serve here and those who protect this place, and may God bless the United States of America.
"Let's get back to work."
