US CAPITOL VIOLENCE: TRUMP'S EX-CHIEF OF STAFF, WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS RESIGN FROM OFFICE
Mick Mulvaney, a former chief of staff to US President Donald Trump has also resigned from office, just like other key White House officials.
Mulvaney announced his resignation on Thursday, January 7, to protest mob violence by the president Trump's supporters at the Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“I can’t stay here, not after yesterday. You can’t look at that yesterday and think I want to be a part of that in any way, shape or form,” Mulvaney.
Mulvaney, who had been moved from chief of staff to special envoy for Northern Ireland, said he told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo he was resigning.
“I can’t do it. I can’t stay,” he told CNBC, indicating that other White House staff are willing to quit.
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“Those who choose to stay, and I have talked with some of them, are choosing to stay because they’re worried the president might put someone worse in,” he said.
Stephanie Grisham, chief of staff and press secretary for first lady Melania Trump, had earlier resigned after a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Grisham, who was with the campaign since 2015 and also briefly served as the president’s White House press secretary, said it was an “honor” to serve the country.
“It has been an honor to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs. Trump’s mission to help children everywhere, and proud of the many accomplishments of this Administration,” Grisham said in a statement.
Grisham did not give a reason for her action, however the announcement came hours after a large group of protesters breached the U.S. Capitol building and repeated President Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud.
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Reports have it that the deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, White House social secretary Rickie Niceta, and deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger have also resigned from their posts. Matthews specifically criticized the chaos in the Capitol.
“I was honored to serve in the Trump administration and proud of the policies we enacted. As someone who worked in the halls of Congress I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today,” Matthews said in a statement. “I’ll be stepping down from my role, effective immediately. Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power.”
On Wednesday, thousands of Trump supporters invaded the US Capitol hill, a development that halted the joint session of Congress for several hours.
At least four people died during the riot, which delayed Congress proceedings to certify the vote in favor of President-elect Joe Biden.
Reports indicate that Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, had been denied entry into the White House apparently in retaliation for Pence’s decision to ignore Trump’s demand that he block the certification of Biden.
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Meanwhile, US Congress on Thursday upheld the victory of President-elect Joe Biden over his Republican opponent, President Donald Trump.
Following a formal affirmation of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory, President Trump said the decision "represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history."
"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 20th," Trump said in a statement.
Biden will take over the presidency when he is sworn in on January 20.
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