After calling pro-Trump supporters 'patriots', Ivanka Trump takes U-turn, deletes old tweet on Capitol Hills violence

WASHINGTON: Outgoing US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka has now criticised his father's supporters after violence in the Capitol Hills claimed the lives of at least four people and triggering widespread condemnation.

Ivanka Trump took to Twitter and tweeted, "No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.'' Ivanka said in this response to a tweet from CNN correspondent Kate Bennett, who asked her if those rioters people are "patriots".

No. Peaceful protest is patriotic. Violence is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. https://t.co/GwngZTqzTH — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 6, 2021

Ivanka, who is the White House advisor, had faced criticism for calling pro-Trump rioters that stormed the US Capitol as ''patriots'' on social networking platform Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, Ivanka addressed the angry Trump supporters in a tweet saying ''American Patriots-any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable. The violence is unacceptable. Please be respectful.''

Ivanka did not ask Trump supporters to abandon their demonstration at the US Capitol building. When questioned upon the use of the term ''patriots'' she justified her choice of words.

Hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday in a bid to overturn his election defeat, occupying the symbol of American democracy and forcing Congress to suspend a session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Police evacuated lawmakers and struggled for more than three hours after the invasion to clear the Capitol of Trump supporters, who surged through the hallways and rummaged through offices in shocking scenes of chaos and disorder.

One woman died after being shot during the mayhem, Washington police said. The FBI said it had disarmed two suspected explosive devices. The assault on the Capitol was the culmination of months of divisive and escalating rhetoric around the November 3 election, with Trump repeatedly making false claims that the vote was rigged and urging his supporters to help him overturn his loss.

The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, addressed thousands of supporters near the White House and told them to march on the Capitol to express their anger at the voting process.

He told his supporters to pressure their elected officials to reject the results, urging them "to fight."