Congress finalizes Biden's win after riot disrupts Capitol

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struck a defiant tone returning to the House chamber tonight, saying rioters had failed in their mission and assuring they would face justice. 

The Democratic leader then assured Americans that the House would continue to be about the people's business, starting tonight with certifying the election of President-elect Joe Biden.

"Despite the shameful actions of today, we still will do so," said Pelosi. "We will be part of a history that shows the world what America is made of."

"Congress has returned to the Capitol," she said. "We always knew that this responsibility would take us into the night. We will stay as long as it takes." 

Watch Pelosi speak:

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker condemned efforts by rioters to disrupt Congress's electoral vote process.

Booker noted that he could only recall two moments in US history when individuals laid siege on the country's Capitol: The War of 1812 and today.

Booker blasted those who were spreading conspiracy theories and false claims about voter fraud perpetuated by President Trump.

"It is unprecedented that he's fanning the flames of conspiracy theory to create a smokescreen in this nation. To cover what he is trying to do, which is undermine our democratic principles. But it is not just that. The shame of of this day —it's being aided and abetted by good Americans who are falling prey, who are choosing Trump over truth," Booker said.

Watch:

After violent pro-Trump protesters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, a growing number of Republican leaders told CNN that they believe Donald Trump should be removed from office before Jan. 20. Four of them called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, and two others said the President should be impeached.

"He has to be impeached and removed," said one current Republican elected official.

A former senior official said the President's actions were egregious enough to remove him even with such a short time left in his tenure.

"I think this has been huge a shock to the system," said the former official. "How do you keep him in place for two weeks after this?"

By impeaching and removing Trump, even at this late stage of his term, the Senate could subsequently vote to disqualify Trump from ever holding federal office again. On the other hand, invoking the 25th Amendment would require Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to "discharge the powers and duties of his office" — an unprecedented step.

Keep reading here.

Several of President Trump's top aides, including national security adviser Robert O'Brien, are considering resigning in the wake of his response to a pro-Trump mob breaching the US Capitol today.

O'Brien, deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell are all considering resigning as soon as tonight, according to multiple sources familiar. Pottinger's resignation appears to be imminent while others could sleep on it. 

Earlier Wednesday, O’Brien took the unusual step of defending Vice President Mike Pence as Trump has been more consumed by his refusal to do his bidding today than the mob that breached Capitol Hill. O'Brien says he showed courage today as Trump lambasted him.

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse this evening took to the Senate floor to ask his fellow Americans to remember what is great about their country, even after the day's harrowing events.

"I don't think we want to tell our kids that America's best days are behind us because it is not true," said Sasse. "That's not who we are." 

"There is a lot that's broken in this country but not anything that is so big that the American people cannot rebuild it," he continued. "That freedom, and community, and entrepreneurial effort and that neighborhoods can't rebuild, nothing that is broken is so big that we cannot fix it."

"America, is the most exceptional nation in the history of the world and the Constitution is the greatest political document that has ever been written," he said. 

Sasse concluded with a call for Americans to love each other.

"Most importantly, love your neighbor," he said.

Watch:

White House social secretary Anna Cristina “Rickie” Niceta has resigned her role, effective immediately, a White House official tells CNN.

Niceta served as the Trump administration’s sole social secretary, assuming the post in February 2017.

Niceta becomes the second senior East Wing staffer to resign her job in the wake of today’s violent protests at the Capitol.

Stephanie Grisham, the former White House communications director and press secretary and current chief of staff for first lady Melania Trump, submitted her resignation Wednesday afternoon.

Some background on Niceta's role: The social secretary conducts and oversees all events at the White House, from small meetings in the West Wing, to the annual Easter Egg Roll, Halloween, state visits and Congressional picnics and galas.

Prior to becoming social secretary, Niceta was an executive with Washington, D.C., catering company Design Cuisine. Melania Trump hired Niceta after being impressed with the food at the inaugural luncheon in the US Capitol building.

Several of President Trump's top aides, including national security adviser Robert O'Brien, are considering resigning in the wake of his response to a pro-Trump mob breaching the US Capitol today.

O'Brien, deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, and deputy chief of staff Chris Liddell are all considering resigning, according to multiple sources familiar. Pottinger's resignation appears to be imminent while others could sleep on it.  

Earlier Wednesday, O’Brien took the unusual step of defending Vice President Mike Pence as President Trump has been more consumed by his refusal to do his bidding today than the mob that breached Capitol Hill. O'Brien says he showed courage today as Trump lambasted him. 

"I just spoke with Vice President Pence. He is a genuinely fine and decent man. He exhibited courage today as he did at the Capitol on 9/11 as a Congressman. I am proud to serve with him," O'Brien said

O’Brien, Pottinger and Liddle did not immediately respond to request for comment.

President Trump is urging senators to push ahead with the protest on the certification of Joe Biden as President, according to a source familiar with the discussions, and the source says it sounds like Sen. Josh Hawley will continue his push for an objection.

As CNN reported earlier, Hawley would not answer when asked what his plans are following the protests today, and whether he would still object to Pennsylvania. 

Sen. Roger Marshall also would not answer a question about whether he still planned to object to Georgia and Pennsylvania. 

Congress reconvened their joint session tonight after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol. Lawmakers are currently debating an objection to Arizona's electoral votes.

CNN's Manu Raju contributed reporting to this post

Republican Sens. Steve Daines and James Lankford say they will now vote to certify the election results.

Calling Wednesday’s insurrection “a sad day for our country,” the two senators said, "We now need the entire Congress to come together and vote to certify the election results."