3 White House aides resign after Capitol violence

Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pic: AFP

Three White House aides, including First Lady Melania Trump's chief of staff Stephanie Grisham, have resigned from their posts in the wake of the violent protests that rocked Washington D.C.

Grisham submitted her resignation Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a statement posted on Twitter early Thursday, Grisham said: It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP mission to help children everywhere and proud of the many accomplishments of this Administration. Signing off now - you can find me at @OMGrisham."

Grisham was one of the longest-serving Trump administration officials, previously serving as White House Communications Director and Press Secretary.

The second aide who resigned was White House Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta, an administration official confirmed to CNN.

According to the CNN, Niceta served as the administration's sole Social Secretary, assuming the post in February 2017.

The third aide who also resigned on Wednesday was White House press aide Sarah Matthews.

In a statement Matthews said she "was deeply disturbed by what I saw today", adding that "our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power".

Thousands of President Donald Trump's supporters assembled in Washington D.C. earlier on Wednesday as the Congress convened in a joint session to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

But both the House and the Senate, which were separately debating an objection to the counting of Arizona's electoral votes, had to recess and evacuate after the protesters breached the Capitol.

Confrontations between law enforcement officers and the protesters have inflicted injuries on both sides.

At least four people have been, 52 arrested and 14 police officers injured as a result of the violence.

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