What appeared to be thousands of President Donald Trumpās 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 Newsā Chad Pergram reported that the Capitol was placed on lockdown as protesters stormed the building.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hasĀ reportedly askedĀ the National Guard to be deployed to the Capitol to clear the protesters.
Additionally, it was reported that a message was broadcast in the Capitol that instructed lawmakers and staffers to ālock all doors if ableā and āif unable, seek shelter or concealment.ā
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.
Check out some of the footage below:
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) tweeted about the protests, āUnited States Capitol Police saved my life. Attacks on law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs are never acceptable. Period.ā
āWe can passionately protest without being violent,ā he added.
Newly sworn-in Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) shared a video protesters clashing with police officers and wrote, āJust evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now weāre seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.ā
āThis is wrong. This is not who we are. Iām heartbroken for our nation today,ā she added.
Trump weighed in on Twitter, writing, āPlease support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!ā
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.