Supporters of President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, forcing Congress to evacuate as lawmakers counted electoral votes to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. Chaos broke out shortly after Trump gave a speech once again, falsely claiming to have won a second term and vowing “we will never give in”.
The enraged crowd clashed with the police, scaled walls and smashed windows and doors in the Capitol building. Some violated the Senate Chamber when the police drew their weapons. The country’s capital is under curfew this evening as a result of the violence. One woman died after being shot at the Capitol and several others were hospitalized with injuries, officials said.
Troops from the Virginia National Guard, Maryland and Washington, DC were deployed to help contain the violence. Several hours after the initial violation, the police announced that Capitol was safe.
The Senate met again at around 8 pm ET to continue counting electoral votes. The house is scheduled to meet at 9 pm.
“The United States and the United States Congress faced far greater threats than the unbalanced crowd we saw today,” said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnel. “We have never been deterred before. And we will not be deterred today.”
Trump told his supporters to go home, but echoed the false and inflamed claim that the election was stolen. “We have to have peace, we have to have law and order,” said the president.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP