Biden says ‘democracy is under unprecedented assault’ and DC riots ‘unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times’

Joe Biden, America’s president-elect, has denounced the chaos and violence that overwhelmed the US Capitol, saying the nation’s democracy was under threat in a manner not equalled in recent times.

In an address delivered from Wilmington, Delaware, that stood in sharp contrast to the aggression and anger displayed just a few hours earlier when Donald Trump spoke to supporters, Mr Biden said the rioters represented “an insurrection”.

“At this hour, our democracy's under unprecedented assault. Unlike anything we've seen in modern times. An assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself,” he said.

“Let me be very clear. The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America. Do not represent who we are. What we're seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end now.”

He also called on Mr Trump to deliver a televised national address calling for an end to the violence.

Mr Biden, 78, who is to be inaugurated on January, spoke after scenes in the nation’s capital that many could scarcely believe were taking place. While armed militia had stormed into the state capitol in Lansing, Michigan, again encouraged by Mr Trump, the location of the incident and the numbers involved were far graver.

As Mr Biden spoke at around 4pm on the US east coast, split screen televisions showed riot police still trying to force protesters from the legislative chamber. Photographs showed a person sitting in Nancy Pelosi’s office, while others showed armed guards in a standoff with a protester in the House chamber. One woman was fatally shot, while many were said to be injured.

The incident came as a joint session of Congress gathered to certify the electoral college votes cast by the 50 individual states, usually something of a formality. This year, encouraged by Mr Trump’s baseless claims of electoral fraud, 150 Republicans, among them Ted Cruz were seeking to vote against certification.

Among those to denounce the scenes was senator Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate, who was lone among senate  Republicans to support efforts to impeach the president.

“We gather today due to a selfish man’s injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months and stirred to action this very morning,” he said. “What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States.”

He added: “Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. They will be remembered for their role in this shameful episode in American history. That will be their legacy.”

Mr Biden has always sought to see the best in his country, a trait that has led some detractors to accuse him of being blind to the realities. Others say it is such optimism that helped him secure both the Democratic nomination and then defeat Mr Trump.

“The work of the moment and the work of the next four years must be the restoration of democracy – of decency, honour, respect, the rule of law. Just plain, simple decency,” Mr Biden said, adding that he was “shocked and saddened” that the country had come to such a dark moment.

“Through war and strife, America's endured much. And we will endure here and we will prevail again and we'll prevail now. Today's reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile and to preserve it requires people of good will.”

Later on Wednesday, with riot police standing guard outside the Capitol, House speaker Nancy Pelosi informed vice president, whose job is to preside over the joint session, that politicians wanted to return that evening and continue the task of certifying Mr Biden victory.

“We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night,” Ms. Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.

“We also knew that we would be a part of history in a positive way today, despite ill-founded objections to the electoral college vote. We now will be part of history, as such a shameful picture of our country was put out to the world, instigated at the highest level.”