Some sharp words coming from the former US Attorney General William Barr, who was one of Donald Trump's staunchest allies.

"Orchestrating a mob to pressure Congress is inexcusable," Barr said in a statement. “The president’s conduct [on Wednesday] was a betrayal of his office and supporters."

Barr stepped down last month as tensions with the president flared. He had said that there was no evidence of widespread fraud in November's vote - as claimed by Trump.

Barr was also criticised by the president for not publicly disclosing during the election campaign that the justice department was investigating Joe Biden's son.

Democratic critics of Barr have accused him of shielding his ex-boss from justice during his time as attorney general.