Supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Wednesday, forcing Congress to evacuate as lawmakers counted electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. Chaos erupted shortly after Mr Trump made another speech in which he falsely claimed to have won a second term and vowed “we will never give in.”
The angry mob clashed with the police, climbed walls and broke windows and doors at the Capitol. Some entered the Senate Chamber when police officers drew their weapons. As a result of the violence, the country’s capital has a curfew tonight. One woman died after being shot in the Capitol and several others were hospitalized with injuries, officials said.
Troops from Virginia, Maryland and the Washington, DC National Guard were deployed to quell the violence. Hours after the initial breach, police announced that the Capitol was secured.
The Senate reconvened around 8 p.m. ET and the House reconvened at 9 p.m. ET to continue the electoral vote count.
“The United States and Congress have faced far greater threats than the unhinged crowd we have seen today,” said Senate Leader Mitch McConnel. ‘We have never been deterred before. And today we will not be deterred either. ‘
Trump told his supporters to go home, but reiterated the false, incendiary claim that the election had been stolen. “We need peace, we need order and authority,” said the president.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP