US Capitol riot – live: Trump says supporters will have ‘giant voice long into future’ – as Democrats call for his impeachment

Live updates as a Republican senator says he would “definitely consider” impeaching Mr Trump – who is accused of encouraging the unrest.

Key points:

Donald Trump has tweeted that his supporters will have ‘giant voice long into the future’

US president earlier condemned supporters who stormed Capitol and conceded defeat to Joe Biden for the first time

Several Democrats have called for Mr Trump to be impeached and removed from office immediately

Vice President Mike Pence has said he is against using 25th Amendment

Education secretary Betsy Devos became second member of Trump’s cabinet to resign

A fifth person, a police officer, was confirmed to have died in the chaos on Wednesday

Live updates from Tom Gillespie, news reporter

17:45

Family pay tribute to ‘hero’ police officer killed during Capitol riots

The brother of Brian Sicknick, the police officer killed when demonstrators stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, has issued a statement on behalf of his family and friends.

Mr Sicknick died on Thursday from injuries he sustained during the chaos.

His brother Ken Sicknick said: “My brother Brian was the youngest of three sons born to my parents in South River, NJ.

“Brian, age 42, wanted to be a police officer his entire life. He joined the New Jersey Air National Guard as a means to that end.

“In doing so, he served his country honorably in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Desert Shield, of which my family is very proud.

“While stateside during those years, Brian served as an SP for the 108th Air Refueling Wing out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt in New Jersey. Brian transitioned to the USCP in 2008, serving there in support of our country for the past 12 years.

“Many details regarding Wednesday’s events and the direct causes of Brian’s injuries remain unknown and our family asks the public and the press to respect our wishes in not making Brian’s passing a political issue. Please honor Brian’s life and service and respect our privacy while we move forward in doing the same. Brian is a hero and that is what we would like people to remember. Thank you.”

Donald Trump ‘to leave Washington before inauguration day’

The US president is expected to travel to his Florida resort ahead of  Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to a source.

They added there have been discussions at the White House about Mr Trump departing Washington before inauguration day.

Mr Trump has said he will be breaking convention by not attending the event on 20 January.

Donald Trump ‘will not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration’

The US president has said he will not be attending the president-elect’s inauguration in just under two weeks.

Mr Biden condemned Mr Trump after Wednesday’s astonishing scenes and said the behaviour of his supporters was an “assault on our liberty”.

Of the demonstrators, he said: “Don’t dare call them protesters – they were a riotous mob, insurrectionists.”

Republican senator says he would “definitely consider” articles of impeachment

Ben Sasse, a Republican senator and frequent critic of Donald Trump, has told CBS News he would consider trying to remove the president.

He told the US news channel: “The House, if they come together and have a process, I will definitely consider whatever articles they might move.”

It’s been two days since supporters of Mr Trump stormed the Capitol.

Senior Democrats have accused the president of inciting the violence and are calling for him to be impeached for a second time.

Donald Trump says ‘American Patriots’ who voted for him will have ‘giant voice long into the future’

The US president’s Facebook and Instagram profiles may have been suspended, but his Twitter account is still up and running.

Mr Trump has tweeted to say the “patriots” who voted for him will be represented long into the future.

It comes hours after he condemned his supporters who stormed the Capitol.

Sky News