UPDATE: Shots fired at US Capitol; House and Senate chambers taken over by protesters; VP Pence evacuated
One person has reportedly been shot
President Trump once again called for an end to the violence at the U.S. Capitol as the situation has progressively worsened.
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & O… https://t.co/XWZnbZWwze
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1609964006.0
He was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, who tweeted that the "violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now."
The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must re… https://t.co/ZlHvU6wXBW
— Mike Pence (@Mike Pence)1609965302.0
UPDATE (Jan. 6, 3:32 p.m.):
One person has reportedly been shot inside the Capitol Building. Based on video of the incident, a young woman appears to have been seriously injured in the neck. Warning: The video is extremely graphic and may be upsetting to some viewers.
NEW: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy confirmed on Fox News minutes ago that he heard on a Capitol Police radio… https://t.co/tuoDKJdzLH
— NPR Politics (@NPR Politics)1609964606.0
UPDATE (Jan. 6, 3:24 p.m.):
There is currently some confusion over whether additional law enforcement are on their way to protect the U.S. Capitol as protesters have breached the building with the full Congress present.
NBC News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested National Guard troops to come and clear rioters, but others have reported that the request has either been denied or not yet granted.
UPDATE (Jan. 6, 3:10 p.m.):
Vice President Mike Pence has reportedly been evacuated from the U.S. Capitol amid the escalating situation, as some individuals protesting the 2020 election results breached security and entered the House and Senate chambers.
The Senate https://t.co/ooJZ6qNATe
— Steven Nelson (@Steven Nelson)1609963331.0
Video from within the House chamber showed that lawmakers had been cleared from the room and protesters were inside. One protester appeared to be engaged in a standoff with police.
UPDATE (Jan. 6, 2:58 p.m.):
President Trump called on supporters protesting outside the U.S. Capitol to respect law enforcement and "stay peaceful," as reports surfaced showing groups of protesters fighting with police and inside the Capitol Building.
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1609961938.0
UPDATE (Jan. 6, 2:30 p.m.):
Both chambers of Congress went into recess and the U.S. Capitol was reportedly placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as Trump supporters reportedly breached security and entered the Capitol Building.
BlazeTV reporter Elijah Schaffer posted video showing a small group of individuals fighting with police inside the building. At one point, some were right outside the Senate chamber as lawmakers convened inside.
BREAKING: revolution in process as Trump supporters break into the Capitol building, attacking police, breaking win… https://t.co/CcnkeGdPUR
— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ELIJAH SCHAFFER)1609961297.0
"Full anarchy at this 'mostly peaceful' demonstration," Schaffer wrote. "The people have pushed through & are storming to main chambers."
Original story below
Hundreds of Trump supporters breached security barricades and stormed up to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., as both chambers of Congress convened to affirm the Electoral College votes cast in the 2020 election Wednesday afternoon.
Thousands had traveled from out of state to gather in Washington in protest of the election, which President Trump and his allies have maintained was fraudulent.
Things appeared to carry on peacefully earlier in the day, but as the joint session of Congress kicked off in the early afternoon, a large group of individuals appeared to storm through outer barricades surrounding the Capitol building, where lawmakers deliberated inside.
Video posted to Twitter by Washington Post reporter Rebecca Tan showed Trump supporters approaching the rear of the building.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/trump-supporters-storm-capitol