Capitol Hill riots as it happened: Donald Trump condemns riots, concedes defeat to Joe Biden for first time in video statement

US President Donald Trump has vowed to spend his final days in office working to ensure a smooth transition to a Biden administration, in an abrupt change in tone after the most senior Democrats in Congress demanded he be removed from office for inciting violence in the US capital.

A day after his supporters stormed into the Capitol building - resulting in at least five deaths - Trump released a video message in which he effectively conceded that the Biden administration would take over on January 20.

At the end of the video Trump told his supporters that "our incredible journey is only just beginning", suggesting he may run for President again in 2024.

He called for calm and condemned the violence in Washington.

"Now Congress has certified the results, a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th," Trump said in the video message.

"My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation."

Trump released a statement earlier in the day acknowledging Biden would be the next president but this was the first time he had recognised this fact on camera.

You can read the full speech here:

"I'd like to begin by addressing the heinous attack on the United States Capitol. Like all Americans I am outraged by violence, lawlessness and mayhem. I immediately deployed the National Guard and federal law enforcement to secure the building and expel the intruders. America is and must always be a nation of law and order.

"The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.

"We have just been through an intense election and emotions are high. But now tempers must be cooled and calm restored. We must get on with the business of America. My campaign vigorously pursued every legal avenue to contest the election results. My only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote. In so doing I was fighting to defend American democracy. I continue to strongly believe that we must reform our election laws to verify the identity and eligibility of all voters and ensure faith and confidence in all future elections.

"Now Congress has certified the results a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation.

"2020 has been a challenging time for our people. A menacing pandemic has up-ended the lives of our citizens, isolated millions in their homes, damaged their economy and claimed countless lives. Defeating this pandemic and rebuilding the greatest economy on Earth will require a renewed emphasis on the civic values of patriotism, faith, charity, community and family.

"We must revitalise the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that bind us together as one national family. To the citizens of our country, serving as your President has been the honour of my lifetime and to all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed but I also want you to know that our incredibly journey is only just beginning. Thank you, God bless you and God bless America."

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi is joining fellow Democrats in calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office immediately.

She has joined Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader, in calling for Trump to be removed using the constitution's 25th amendment.

She said Trump incited sedition and was a "very dangerous person who should not continue in office".

"This is urgent, this an emergency of the highest magnitude."

Pelosi called on the cabinet to immediately improve the security of the United States by removing Trump as President. She said impeachment was also an option if the cabinet did not act.

Read more: 'A threshold was crossed': Pelosi calls to impeach Trump

This sounds like a neat solution but invoking the 25th, which would transfer power to Vice-President Mike Pence, is actually no quick fix, considering Trump has just 13 days left in office.

Pelosi's office was targeted by Trump supporters, one of whom posed for photographs sitting at her desk and stole a personalised envelope from Pelosi's desk as a souvenir.

Richard "Bigo" Barnett, 60, insisted he didn't steal the custom stationery as he left a quarter on the House Speaker's desk.

The Capitol Police in Washington say reports that a police officer died following the riots are inaccurate.

CNN reported earlier that a police officer had died, saying the development had been confirmed by three sources.

However, in a statement, the United States Capitol Police said: "Media reports regarding the death of a United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer are not accurate. Although some officers were injured and hospitalised yesterday, no USCP officers have passed away.

"We ask that our officers' and their families' privacy be respected at this time. Should a statement become necessary, the department will issue one at the appropriate time."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he has accepted the resignation of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger a day after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol.

The Kentucky Republican said Thursday in a statement that he had earlier requested the resignation and later received it. He says Stenger's resignation is effective immediately.

McConnell says Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Hemingway will now be acting sergeant-at-arms.

He says, "I thank Jennifer in advance for her service as we begin to examine the serious failures that transpired yesterday and continue and strengthen our preparations for a safe and successful inauguration on January 20th.”

Democrat Chuck Schumer had earlier vowed to fire Stenger when Schumer becomes Senate majority leader later this month if Stenger was still in the position.

AP

A US Capitol police officer has died following the storming of the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, CNN said on Thursday.

The officer was the fifth person to die after Trump's supporters swarmed the building on Wednesday in a failed attempt to disrupt efforts to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Quoting three sources, CNN offered no further details.

Reuters