Trump Acknowledges End Of His Presidency After Congress Certifies Biden's Win

President Donald Trump issued a statement early Thursday acknowledging the end of his term, hours after his supporters mobbed the Capitol .

In a statement issued through White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino , Trump promised an “orderly transition” on Jan. 20. Trump’s own Twitter account was locked  at the time due to earlier tweets that violated Twitter’s “civic integrity” policy.

The statement was released shortly after a joint session of Congress certified the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris . The lawmakers returned to finish the process hours after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol building, roamed the halls and fought with officers. One woman was fatally shot and three others died in what police said were separate “medical emergencies.” 

In a rambling speech earlier Wednesday, Trump encouraged protesters to march to the Capitol, but he didn’t join them. Trump later said that the rioters should “stay peaceful” and that he loved them, but didn’t tell them to stop. 

Months of spreading lies about election fraud culminated in the violent insurrection. Far-right extremists, white nationalists, Neo-Nazis and followers of the QAnon conspiracy movement were among those causing chaos at the Capitol.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.