Top military leaders condemn ‘sedition and insurgency’ on Capitol Hill, recognize Biden victory

WASHINGTON – In an extraordinary letter Tuesday, the country’s top military commanders condemned last week’s “sedition and insurgency” acts on the US Capitol, while acknowledging Joe Biden’s election victory.

The message did not mention President Donald Trump’s name, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by US Army General Mark Milley, made it clear that the military intended to support the constitutional transfer. power to the next administration.

“As we have done throughout our history, the United States military will obey the legal order of civilian rulers, support civilian authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety according to law, and will remain fully committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, ”wrote the country’s top military officers.

“As members of the service, we must embody the values ​​and ideals of the Nation. We uphold and defend the Constitution. Any act aimed at disrupting the constitutional process is not only contrary to our traditions, our values ​​and our oath ; it is against the law, “the Chiefs wrote.

The post comes a week after thousands of the president’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, killing five, including a Capitol Police officer. The pandemonium derailed the work of Congress to count voter votes and confirm Biden’s victory in the November 3 election.

Biden’s victory was projected by all major media outlets in mid-November and confirmed by electoral college votes in mid-December. The Republican president falsely insisted he won in a “landslide”, baselessly claiming his re-election was stolen by massive electoral fraud.

As protesters besieged the Capitol on Wednesday, Trump told his supporters in a tweeted video “you must go home now.” The president stopped before condemning the violence and told the crowd “we love you, you are very special”.

In a nearly three-minute video released Thursday, the president called for “national healing and reconciliation.”

“To those who have engaged in acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who have broken the law, you will pay,” Trump said in his first address to the nation after the violence that shook Washington.

“Now spirits must be cooled and calm restored. We must get on with America’s business,” Trump added.

The president also acknowledged that “a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20”.

A day later, he said he would ignore the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.