Impeached Donald Trump calls for ‘no more violence’ in Twitter video, swimmer Klete Keller charged

President returns to Twitter to address his supporters, as Olympic swimmer is charged over Capitol riot | WATCH

Impeached US president Donald Trump' has called for calm. Picture: AFP

Impeached US President Donald Trump has returned to Twitter to call for calm amid fears of further violence in the Capitol.

In video comments released via the White House Twitter account after the vote to impeach him earlier today, Mr Trump, 74, said there was “no room in our movement” for mob violence and asked his supporters to ease tensions ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration.

He did not didn’t mention his impeachment but called on Americans “to overcome the passions of the moment, and join together as one American people.”

“I want to be very clear, I unequivocally condemn the violence

“Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country, and no place in our movement,” he said.

pic.twitter.com/FIJbvCYGJ6

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 13, 2021

In a brief written statement released via White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany, Mr Trump said: “In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO law-breaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for, and it is not what America stands for. I call on ALL Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You.”

He also used the address to slam moves by social media companies to censor and cancel him.

Mr Trump’s personal Twitter account was indefinitely suspended in the wake of the storming of the US Capitol last week and he has been de-platformed on various social media channels.

He has previously said he would not attend President-elect Biden’s inauguration ceremony on January 20.

Some 20,000 National Guard soldiers are expected in Washington for Mr Biden’s inauguration, more than the combined number of US troops officially deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lawmakers on Wednesday formally accused Mr Trump of inciting the mob that attacked the Capitol last week in a failed effort to stop Congress from finalising the president’s November election loss.

The House voted 232-197 to impeach the president, with 10 members of Mr Trump’s Republican Party joining 222 Democrats.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) signs an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 13. Picture: AFP

The Capitol building grounds are ringed by a security fence erected after the attack, similar to the one raised around the White House months ago when protests erupted nationwide against police killings of African-Americans.

The city at the heart of US democracy has been a shadow of itself during pandemic shutdowns, but now it is also under heavy guard after the January 6 deadly attack by Trump supporters on the Congress building.

US Olympic swimming gold medallist Klete Keller was charged by the Justice Department Wednesday with participating in the riot.

US swimmer Klete Keller in 2008. Picture: AFP

Keller was filmed as part of the crowd that illegally entered the huge Rotunda hall of the Capitol after violent protesters broke through police lines and forced their way in.

A statement accompanying formal charges unveiled Wednesday said police identified the three-time Olympian first by what appears to be an official team jacket bearing the large logo “USA” on the back and an arm patch that read “United States Olympic team.” He was charged with illegally entering the Capitol, violent or disorderly conduct, and obstructing law enforcement.

Keller, 38, competed in the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008, taking two golds and a silver in the 4x200 metre freestyle relays, and two bronzes in the individual 400 metre freestyle.

His 2004 relay gold in Athens was one of the most celebrated races in swimming, with a US star team that included Michael Phelps, against an Australian foursome led by the powerful champion Ian Thorpe.

With AFP