US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, holds her weekly press conference at the US Capitol on January 7, 2021. (Photo: AFP)

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday that she has instructed the Rules Committee to be prepared to move forward on a motion to impeach President Donald Trump if the Republican doesn't resign after deadly pro-Trump riots at the U.S. Capitol.

"It is the hope of members that the president will immediately resign," Pelosi said in a statement on her meeting with the House Democratic Caucus. "The House will preserve every option... With great respect, our deliberations will continue."