The Associated Press has compiled statements from world leaders in reaction to the scenes of insurrection taking place at the United States Capitol and to Donald Trump’s actions that led to violence. A sampling:
“A fundamental rule of democracy is that, after elections, there are winners and losers. Both have to play their role with decency and responsibility so that democracy itself remains the winner….President Trump regrettably has not conceded his defeat since November, and didn’t yesterday either, and of course that has prepared the atmosphere in which such events, such violent events, are possible.” — German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“American democracy is obviously limping on both feet….This, alas, is actually the bottom. I say this without a shadow of gloating. America no longer charts a course and therefore has lost all rights to set it — and even more so to impose it on others.” — Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament.
“The world considered America as a successful model of democracy, but we have witnessed the chaos, the assault against congress members and the looting. Same as third-world countries!” — Iraqi lawmaker Hakim al-Zamili.
“We must call this out for what it is: a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching!” — Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney.
“Everywhere there is a Trump, so each of us has to defend the Capitol.” — Donald Tusk, former European Union leader, former prime minister of Poland.
“The scenes from the U.S. Capitol show how dangerous the rhetoric of hatred is. Contempt for democratic institutions erodes citizens’ rights and can undermine political order.” — Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova.