"No More. It's Over Now"…Close Aides Leaving Trump as He Sinks

Major Shock in US Politics After Capitol Riot
Election Denial Voices Weaken
Even Trump Ally Graham Says "Biden Won"
White House Aides Consider Resignation

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "Enough is enough."

On the 6th (local time), even Senator Lindsey Graham, a political ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, turned against Trump. As White House aides to President Trump are reportedly considering resignation, there is analysis that Trump’s close associates are jumping off the "sinking ship."

Senator Graham expressed his political stance on whether to object to the Arizona state's electoral votes. He said, "President Trump and I have been on a journey together for a long time. I did not want to end that journey with him," but added, "What I can say today is, take me out of this, enough is enough."

Thousands of supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the 6th (local time). Among them, hundreds stormed the Capitol and occupied the Rotunda. The occupation of the Capitol, a symbol of American democracy, by protesters is an unprecedented event. The Congress was scheduled to certify the victory of President-elect Joe Biden that day, but the joint session of the House and Senate was abruptly suspended due to the Capitol breach.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Senator Graham was one of the lawmakers who objected to the election results even after President Trump lost the last presidential election. However, he declared that he would no longer raise any issues at the joint session of the U.S. Congress, which officially confirms the electoral votes by state.

He concluded his remarks by saying, "It’s over. (President-elect) Biden won. He was legally elected president and will become president on the 20th."

On this day, the U.S. Capitol proceeded with the formal process to certify the presidential election results conducted by each state on the 14th of last month. However, chaos escalated as pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol. In particular, in the U.S., there is a flood of criticism that President Trump is the mastermind behind this Capitol breach. It is said that the person who led the protests pressuring Congress and asked them to fight was all President Trump.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Already, the media and others have mentioned insurrection, and reports have emerged that some lawmakers have begun discussing impeachment or the vice president’s succession procedures. A columnist from The Washington Post (WP) stated, "President Trump has committed various legal violations over time, and today another crime has been added. That is treason."

Furthermore, many media outlets are voicing demands to strip President Trump of his powers with less than two weeks left in his term.

Initially, 11 senators in the U.S. Senate expressed their intention to reject the election results, but only six actually did so. This seems to reflect the current situation.

The White House is also in a serious state.

CNN reported that senior aides, including National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, are considering resignation. The individuals mentioned include Advisor O'Brien, Deputy Advisor Matthew Pottinger, and Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Liddell.

It is reported that their consideration is related more to Vice President Mike Pence’s stance, expressed during the joint session of Congress on the same day, that the vice president does not have the authority to overturn the electoral vote results, rather than the issue of protesters storming the Capitol.

Stephanie Grisham, who served as spokesperson for First Lady Melania Trump, is also reported to have tendered her resignation.

U.S. media have reported that discussions have begun regarding congressional impeachment and cabinet members transferring the presidency to the vice president. According to the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, if the vice president and a majority of the cabinet determine that the president is unable to perform the duties of office and notify Congress, the vice president can become acting president.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.