Donald Trump branded a ‘clear and present danger’ by Democrats as Representatives debate impeachment

Members of the National Guard mount guard near the US Capitol building

Credit: REUTERS/Brandon Bell

Mr Jeffries added: “Violence will not win, insurrection will not win, sedition will not win, terror will not win, lawlessness will not win, mob rule will not win. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Democracy will prevail.”

Adam Schiff of California, who had led the last impeachment drive, called the Capitol attack “a Trumpist and white nationalist insurrection”, adding: “It was the most dangerous moment for our democracy for a century”.

But some Republicans rallied behind the president. Jim Jordan of Ohio portrayed impeachment as the latest in a four-year push to remove Mr Trump from office by the Democrats, saying: “They want to cancel the president”.

Mr Jordan, like other Republicans, condemned the violence last week in strong terms. However he said that impeaching Mr Trump would not help a hurting and divided nation come back together.

Tom McClintock of California said: "If we impeached every politician who gave a fiery speech to a crowd of partisans this Capitol would be deserted. That’s what the president did, that is all he did."

Matt Gaetz of Florida, a prominent Trump supporter, said while the president’s detractors suggested he metaphorically started a fire, Left-wing radicals started real fires during anti-racism protests in the summer.

“They lit actual flames. Actual fires!” Mr Gaetz shouted as Democrats drowned him out with heckles.

But Mr McCarthy, the top Republican in the Senate, was critical of the president even as he said he would oppose impeachment because it would further divide the country.

Mr McCarthy said: The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.”

Meanwhile, Mr Biden continued to prepare his team ahead of taking office next week.

On Wednesday, he nominated former ambassador Samantha Power, a forceful advocate of humanitarian diplomacy, to lead US foreign aid and elevated the position’s role.

Ms Power, if confirmed as administrator of the US Agency for International Development, would sit on the National Security Council along with John Kerry, the former secretary of state tapped as climate envoy — for the first time giving such prominence to the two issues.

"Samantha Power is a world-renowned voice of conscience and moral clarity — challenging and rallying the international community to stand up for the dignity and humanity of all people," Mr Biden said in a statement.