Merkel and Johnson Blame Trump for Riot, but Europe Also Expresses Hope
As America’s European allies digested events that rocked Washington, many expressed faith in the strength of U.S. democracy to prevail.
Protesters at the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in Washington.Credit.Jason Andrew for The New York Times
Jan. 7, 2021
BERLIN Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain on Thursday placed the blame for mob violence at the U.S. Capitol squarely on President Trump.
Ms. Merkel and other leaders of the United States’ strongest allies in Europe expressed faith in the strength of American democracy, although Mr. Johnson said that the riot had undermined the image of the United States.
President Trump said the violence at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday is the type of event that happens when an election is "stripped away," adding the protesters should go home peacefully.
Rep. Tim Ryan, Ohio Democrat, said Wednesday that it's too dangerous to allow President Trump to continue serving as president until President-elect Joseph R. Biden is inaugurated on Jan. 20.
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Republican Party officials embraced Mr. Trump’s claims that ballot fraud and election irregularities marred the Nov. 3 vote. They are organizing a nationwide effort to prevent a repeat.
“Election integrity is going to be the No. 1 priority for the RNC in 2021 and 2022,” Mr. Feaman said. “I hear no recriminations against President Trump concerning Georgia, none whatsoever. It’s all about making sure the process is fair and honest.”
In Washington, pundits and Mr. Trump’s Republican critics were quick to blame the president for the Democrats’ wins in the two runoff races Tuesday in Georgia.
Throughout the two-month runoff contests, Mr. Trump aggressively pushed claims that ballot tampering cost him the Nov. 3 presidential election in Georgia. He battled the state’s Republican governor and pressured the secretary of state, also a Republican, to help him “find” the votes needed to overturn the win by President-elect Joseph R. Biden.