Washington residents have their say on disgraceful scenes in U.S namesake

One woman was shot dead and three other people died from ‘medical emergencies’ as Donald Trump supporters stormed Washington DC’s Capitol building in a bid to stop confirmation of Joe Biden’s victory by the country’s electoral college.

President Trump has been blamed for inciting the crowds on social media after refusing to accept the result and making unsubstantiated claims of massive fraud.

In contrast to the violence across the Atlantic, Washington Village, the ancestral home of US founding father, George Washington, was a picture of serenity today.

But Washington residents were shocked by what they had witnessed in the US and many thought President Trump should be held accountable for the events that unfolded.

Steven McCoy, 37, said he was appalled by what he saw on the news: “I thought it was ludicrous, absolutely ludicrous,” he said.

Glenn Millar, another resident out walking in Washington Village on Thursday said he was horrified by the scenes in DC: “It was ridiculous, horrendous,” he said.

"I think the President should definitely be prosecuted for what he has been doing.”

Other Washington residents the Echo spoke to agreed. Peter Gray, 74, said: “The President has been defeated and he should bow down and accept the decision.

“He has got a lot of supporters, unfortunately, and they seem to worship him.”

Peter’s wife Brenda, 70, said she wouldn’t swap her Washington for the alternative: “Washington Village is the gem of Washington – I would definitely rather be here today,” she said.

She, too, was appalled by the President’s actions and said: “A man in his position should never have done and said what he has.”

Margaret, 74, thought January 20 was too long to wait to see President Trump removed from office: “He needs to be carted out of the White House now,” she said.

Washington Old Hall was the family home of the ancestors of George Washington and it holds an annual celebration to mark American Independence Day.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “completely wrong” for President Trump to both “encourage people to storm the Capitol” and cast doubt on the result of last year’s presidential election.

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