Ex-president Bush says sickened by ‘mayhem’ at US Capitol

Former US president George W. Bush says he and his wife, Laura, are sickened and heartbroken over the “mayhem” in Washington and have watched in “disbelief and dismay” as events unfolded.

Bush says the “assault” on the Capitol and the disruption of a constitutionally mandated meeting to affirm Democrat Joe Biden’s victory was “undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.”

The Republican says in a statement that he is “appalled” by what he describes as “reckless” behavior by some political leaders since the election and the lack of respect for US institutions, traditions and law enforcement.

Bush addresses those who are disappointed by the election result, saying, “Our country is more important than the politics of the moment.”

Dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump breached the security perimeter and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting. They fought with officers both inside the building and outside.