PRESIDENT Donald Trump has denied responsibility for last week’s riot at the US Capitol that left five dead and dismissed his second impeachment as ‘ridiculous’.

The House of Representatives is currently holding a debate asking Vice-President Mike Pence, who could have been killed amid the violence, to invoke the 25th amendment to remove Mr Trump from office.

It is thought to be unlikely to succeed and a vote to impeach the president for ‘inciting an insurrection’ is expected to be held on Wednesday.

The FBI has warned of more potential violence in state capitals when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20.

Security is being dramatically ramped up in Washington DC over fears large gangs of armed Trump supporters could once again attempt to invade the American Government building.

Members of the House of Representatives have been warned of one such inauguration terror plot that involves thousands of people surrounding the US Capitol to prevent Democrats from going in.

Anger comes from months of untrue allegations of electoral fraud from Mr Trump, which he claims have cost him the election, and culminated in extreme violence against police at the Capitol and he told his mob to go and ‘fight like hell’.

Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, just before boarding Air Force One, Mr Trump denied responsibility for last week’s violence by defending his pre-riot remarks to protesters at a rally near the White House.

He said: “People thought what I said was totally appropriate.

“On the impeachment, it’s really a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in the history of politics.”

He added, “I think it’s causing tremendous danger to our country, and it’s causing tremendous anger. I want no violence.”

Mr Trump issued a statement yesterday in response to the death of Sheldon Adelson, a prominent Republican donor who was an early Trump supporter, describing him as a ‘great man’.

He said: “Melania and I mourn the passing of Sheldon Adelson, and send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Miriam, his children and grandchildren.

“Sheldon lived the true American dream. His ingenuity, genius, and creativity earned him immense wealth, but his character and philanthropic generosity his great name. Sheldon was also a staunch supporter of our great ally the State of Israel. ... The world has lost a great man. He will be missed.”

It took Mr Trump hours to release a statement about Adelson’s death, but it was three days after the death of Brian Sicknick, who died from severe head injuries sustained in the Capitol riot, to order White House flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen Capitol Police officers.