What appeared to be thousands of President Donald Trump’s supporters descended on Washington, D.C., as Congress met to fulfill its Constitutional duty to formally certify the Electoral College vote count.
As the proceedings got underway on Wednesday, videos quickly surfaced of protesters breaching barricades outside the U.S. Capitol.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram reported that the Capitol was placed on lockdown as protesters stormed the building.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has reportedly asked the National Guard to be deployed to the Capitol to clear the protesters.
Capitol Being locked down. No entry or exit
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 6, 2021
Additionally, it was reported that a message was broadcast in the Capitol that instructed lawmakers and staffers to “lock all doors if able” and “if unable, seek shelter or concealment.”
BREAKING: message just played inside Capitol – “Lock all doors if able. If unable, seek shelter or concealment. Remain calm and await further directions. I repeat… security threats security threats security threats inside the US Capitol”
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) January 6, 2021
Vice President Mike Pence was reportedly removed from the Senate chamber as protesters entered the building. The upper chamber adjourned. The House has also adjourned its session.
DEVELOPING: House chamber was abruptly adjourned amid a debate on the Electoral College certification after the Capitol building was breached by protesters, forcing a lockdown. https://t.co/kWuftFWvoB pic.twitter.com/bAxIDHplUb
— ABC News (@ABC) January 6, 2021
Check out some of the footage below:
Trump supporters have now totally overwhelmed the front of the Capitol. They’re at the windows of the Capitol, police are falling back now that protesters have the high ground on them. pic.twitter.com/zOjvoQODO0
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) January 6, 2021
BREAKING: Protesters have breached the U.S. Capitol pic.twitter.com/MaaeZMS8jL
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2021
Context: this video shot just now where Mitch McConnell typically enters Senate, near his office pic.twitter.com/H7DaPmzO11
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021
Inside House chamber right now pic.twitter.com/yOk1yWpnT7
— Zak Hudak (@cbszak) January 6, 2021
Protestors are surrounding the House chamber pic.twitter.com/EAI89aWUU2
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) January 6, 2021
I like many people voted for President Trump in the 2020 election and hoped for a different result. But violence and destruction is not the way to express your grievances. This is disgraceful and has to end. pic.twitter.com/AKGqJ0d26p
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) January 6, 2021
Trump protesters just discharged a fire extinguisher outside Senate chamber. Many protesters are inside building, and most people are hiding from them pic.twitter.com/0y2sk8LHWd
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021
They’re in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling “Trump won that election!” This is insane pic.twitter.com/p6CXhBDSFT
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
Rotunda door now breached, Capitol Police say. Loud smashing noises as more Trump protesters surge into building pic.twitter.com/vjCGuPFUUF
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) tweeted about the protests, “United States Capitol Police saved my life. Attacks on law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs are never acceptable. Period.”
United States Capitol Police saved my life.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) January 6, 2021
Attacks on law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs are never acceptable. Period.
We can passionately protest without being violent.
“We can passionately protest without being violent,” he added.
Newly sworn-in Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) shared a video protesters clashing with police officers and wrote, “Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.”
Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 6, 2021
This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today. pic.twitter.com/jC9P0YfSLQ
“This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today,” she added.
Trump weighed in on Twitter, writing, “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has also imposed a 6 p.m. EST curfew that is effective until 6 a.m. EST on Thursday.
