Pro-Trump protesters clash with Capitol police during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton - RC2P2L961GRC

US Deputy Press Secretary resigns post amid Capitol violence

On Jan 7, 2021

White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews has resigned from her post over the Capitol violence.

“I was honoured to serve in the Trump administration and proud of the policies we enacted,” she said.

“As someone who worked in the halls of Congress, I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today.”

Matthews said her resignation is effective immediately, adding: “Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power.”

Earlier, First Lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff and former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham resigned amid the chaos. It was unclear whether the Capitol attack had anything to do with her departure.

“It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House,” she tweeted. “I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs Trump’s mission to help children everywhere, and proud of the many accomplishments of this administration.”

Olusola Akintonde/BBC