US acting defense chief condemns US Capitol riot

WASHINGTON

US Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller on Thursday condemned the storming of the Capitol building, which includes House of Representatives and Senate offices.

The defense chief characterized actions by violent protestors Wednesday as "reprehensible and contrary to the tenets" of the US Constitution but he praised the service of the DC National Guard and US Department of Defense personnel.

"Our Republic may have been disrupted yesterday, but the resolve of our legislators to conduct the people’s business did not waver," Miller said in a statement.

"I strongly condemn these acts of violence against our democracy. I, and the people I lead in the Department of Defense, continue to perform our duties in accordance with our oath of office, and will execute the time-honored peaceful transition of power to President-elect Biden on January 20," he added.

Trump supporters protesting Congress' certification of Biden's presidential win clashed with police, breached the Capitol building and made their way to the Senate floor.

Trump and his political allies have for months alleged that the election was rigged and nothing but "fraud."