Many have condemned the violence and called for democracy to be respected. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron gave their reactions, and DW spoke to people on the street in Germany.
Around the world, there was disbelief at the scenes that unfolded in the Capitol:
- Germany's Bild newspaper talked of a "coup attempt" - and a "moment of great shame"
- In Britain, The Daily Telegraph minced no words: "Democracy under siege"
- The picture of Trump supporters storming the Capitol dominated the United Arab Emirates' Gulf News daily.
- The Nigerian Tribune offered this blistering verdict: "Trump supporters defile democracy."
- China compared the storming of the Capitol with pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
