The highest officers of the Pentagon condemned with one voice Tuesday, January 12 the capture of the Capitol last Wednesday by supporters of Donald Trump, calling this coup de force an attack on the smooth running of democracy.
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"This violent riot took the form of a direct assault against the Congress of the United States, against the Capitol building and our constitutional process
,
"
said in a letter to the troops, the Committee of Heads of State - Joint Staff, which brings together the most senior members of each branch of the American armed forces.
"The right to freedom of expression and assembly does not authorize anyone to resort to violence, sedition or insurrection"
, specifies the letter, signed in particular by the American Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley.
The text takes care to specify that each soldier engaged under the American flag must defend the Constitution of the United States.
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The United States and its federal capital, Washington DC, are preparing to induct Joe Biden into the White House on January 20, which will see him become
"commander-in-chief"
of the armies.
The rejection by Donald Trump, and many of his supporters, of the electoral victory of the Democratic candidate is fueling a climate of great tension in the country and the inauguration ceremony of Joe Biden will be placed under high security.
The army will take its part in this vast operation to secure Washington, with the deployment of thousands of men from the National Guard, a reserve military force.