Donald Trump has denounced the violent scenes in Washington DC earlier this week, amid growing calls for him to be swiftly removed from office.
The US president returned to Twitter overnight after a temporary ban, with a video saying he was "outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem".
He said those who broke the law "will pay", and called for an end to the violence.
He acknowledged that Joe Biden's administration would take power on January 20th, but continued to defend his recent efforts to overturn the results of the election based on baseless claims of fraud.
The statement came amid growing efforts by Democrats to have Mr Trump removed from office before inauguration day in two weeks' time for his part in encouraging the demonstrators.
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has drawn up articles of impeachment, with the support of dozens of her colleagues.
We're up to nearly 60 members. Keep the calls coming - (202) 224-3121 pic.twitter.com/dBPS7F76Fy
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 7, 2021
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, has backed calls for Mr Trump to be removed from office - and has urged Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.
The amendment allows for a president to be removed from power if they become unable to their job - but the move must be backed by a majority of the administration's cabinet members.
Mrs Pelosi has also said the House of Representatives is prepared to impeach Mr Trump if necessary.
The Trump administration has seen a number of high-profile resignations in the wake of Wednesday's violence, with education secretary Betsy DeVos submitting her resignation overnight.
There has also been growing criticism of some of the other lawmakers who've disputed the election results, with publisher Simon & Schuster having dropped a book deal with Senator Josh Hawley for his "role in what became a dangerous threat to our democracy and freedom".
Meanwhile, US Capitol Police confirmed overnight that an officer had died as a result of injuries sustained during the riots at the Capitol.
The force said Brian D Sicknick was injured "while physically engaging with protesters", and passed away in hospital on Thursday night.
He becomes the fifth person to have died following the chaotic scenes in the US capital on Wednesday.
