Calls for Donald Trump’s impeachment and removal from the office grows

Unprecedented calls to immediately remove Donald Trump from power are growing, as it becomes clear the president has been frozen out.

Donald Trump’s role in today’s unprecedented chaos in Washington DC, in which throngs of his violent supporters stormed the Capitol building, is being critiqued by commentators and his government colleagues alike.

With 14 days left in office, the President continued to maintain he was a victim of a fraudulent and “stolen” election and failed to condemn his supporters for their actions which has resulted in at least one death.

Instead, in his official address to the American people, he expressed love and empathy for the protesters and called them “very special”.

“I know your pain. I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side,” he said.

Now, there are clear signs that Mr Trump is missing in action – either by choice or otherwise.

RELATED: Woman shot dead in US carnage

RELATED: Follow our live coverage of the protests here

Images of Pro-Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol, which interrupted the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Picture: Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP.

Most notably, a statement from the Acting Secretary of Defence Christopher C. Miller, suggests Mr Trump was not consulted in the government’s plan to control the riots.

“Chairman Milley and I just spoke separately with the Vice President and with Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Senator Schumer and Representative Hoyer about the situation at the U.S. Capitol,” his statement read, with no mention of the President.

“We have fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation. We are prepared to provide additional support as necessary and appropriate as requested by local authorities.

“Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly.”

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Amazing statement by the Secretary of Defense.

Note whom Secretary Miller and Chairman Milley did NOT speak to: President Trump.

We have had something close to the de facto invoking of the 25th amendment. pic.twitter.com/KtrhD7WQUY

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 6, 2021

Political commentator and former Chief of Staff to Vice President Dan Quayle (who served in the George H. W. Bush administration) said the statement was a “close to the de facto invoking of the 25th amendment”. For context, the 25th amendment allows the Vice President, Congress or House of Representatives to declare that the President is too unstable or unfit to do his job. Should this happen, the Vice President Mike Pence would replace Mr Trump.

Similar calls for the impeachment and removal of Mr Trump have been made by other high-profile US politicians, from both Democrat and Republican parties.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott – a Republican who voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 elections – openly called for the resignation and removal of the President, stating that he was “responsible for this event”.

“There is no doubt that the President’s delusion, fabrication, self-interest and ego have led us, step by step, to this very low and very dangerous moment in American history,” he said.

“The fabric of our democracy and the principles of our republic are under attack by the President. Enough is enough. President Trump should resign or be removed from office by his Cabinet, or by the Congress.”

Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline also called for Mr Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, with support for Congress to impeach the President should Mr Trump not be removed.

Vice President Pence can help put down this attempted coup if he wants to.

I’m circulating a letter urging him to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

If he doesn’t, then Congress should go ahead and impeach the President.

— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 6, 2021

Dear @VP @Mike_Pence: The President of the United States continues to be detached from reality. You know it. I know it. We all know it.

You need to start the 25th Amendment process now to remove @realDonaldTrump. That’s why the Amendment exists, for situations like today. https://t.co/4RH3RtfVa8

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021

Donald J. Trump should immediately be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate as soon as Congress reconvenes.

This is dangerous & unacceptable.

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 6, 2021

Michigan Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also declared she had begun drafting articles of the President’s impeachment.

“We can’t allow him to remain in office, it’s a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfil our oath,” she tweeted.

I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment.

Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate.

We can’t allow him to remain in office, it’s a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 6, 2021

Earlier today, the President Elect Joe Biden demanded President Donald Trump to “step up” and end “the siege” and said the riots were an “assault” on democracy. This came after protesters forced Congress to stop counting the electoral votes which would have confirmed Mr Biden’s election victory.

“At this hour our democracy is under an unprecedented assault,” he said. “And it must end now. I call this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to move forward.”

“Therefore I call on President Trump, go on national television now. To fulfil his oath, to defend the constitution and demand an end to this siege,” he continued.

Joe Biden issuing an emotional condemnation of the storming of the Capitol and slammed Donald Trump's inaction.

In his address, Biden also attempted to unite the country, stating that “the scenes of chaos on the Capitol do not reflect a true America”.

“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,” he said.

He further condemned the actions of the rioters but expressed hope that America will recover.

“The world is watching and like so many other Americans I’m genuinely shocked and saddened at our nation. So long a beacon of hope, light and democracy has come to such a dark moment,” he said.

“The work of a moment and the work of the next four years must be a restoration of democracy, or decency, honour respect and rule of law … It’s about solving problems, looking out for one another, not stoking the flames of hate and chaos.

“Today is a reminder, a painful one. Democracy is fragile. To preserve it requires people of good will, leaders, the courage to stand up, who are devoted not to the pursuit of power … but of the common good.”

Multiple police officers have reportedly been injured and a woman is believed to be in critical condition after being shot in the chest.