Shortly after 1 pm Eastern time, hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through the barriers placed along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they fought with police in full shock suits, some calling police officers “traitors” for doing their job. About 90 minutes later, the police said that the protesters entered the building and that the doors of the House and Senate were being locked. Shortly after, the floor of the Chamber was evacuated by the police.
An armed confrontation was taking place at the front door of the Chamber at 3 pm, and the policemen had their guns pointed at someone who was trying to rape her. A Trump supporter was also photographed standing on the Senate stage.
A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The sources were unable to provide further details about the circumstances of the shooting.
The Senate floor was cleared of protesters from 3:30 pm ET, and an official told CNN that they had managed to squeeze them from the Senate wing of the building to the Rotunda, and are removing them from the East and West Capitol doors.
It is not clear whether any of the individuals were taken into custody.
Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated from the Capitol, where he was to play his part in counting electoral votes.
The video from inside the Capitol showed Trump supporters marching through Statuary Hall. The United States Capitol Police is asking for additional law enforcement assistance, including federal officials, according to a known source.
The Department of Defense received a request from the U.S. Capitol Police for more DC National Guard forces, but a decision has not been made, according to a senior defense officer.
The official said the DC National Guard did not expect to be used to protect federal facilities, and that the Trump administration decided earlier this week that it would be a task of civil law enforcement, the official said.
The source said there were several suspicious devices outside the Capitol building.
The leadership of the House and Senate is secure and in undisclosed locations, according to a known person. Another lawmaker said members of the House were evacuated to a location that this source did not disclose.
The U.S. Capitol Police is working to secure the second floor of the Capitol first and then expand from there. Outside the Capitol, the DC Metropolitan Police Department remains en masse, but no major moves have yet been made towards the crowd.
The Capitol policeman in the Chamber of Deputies told lawmakers that they may need to duck under their seats and informed lawmakers that the protesters were at the building’s Rotunda. Many members of the Chamber were seen wearing gas masks as they moved between Capitol buildings. The members were calling the family to say they are fine.
Although the White House declined to comment on the protests, Trump said on Twitter: “Please support our Police and Capitol Police. They are really on our country’s side. Stay at peace!”
Others inside the president’s orbit tweeted his pleas for calm as the crowd repeatedly tried to take control of the building.
Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, said his supporters who attacked the Capitol were “wrong and not who we are”.
“Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and it doesn’t help anyone,” he tweeted.
Protesters breached external security barriers and video footage shows demonstrators gathering and some clashing with police near the Capitol building. The CNN team on the ground saw a series of protesters trying to climb the side of the Capitol building. Several loud flashes were heard.
The protesters could be seen pushing the metal fences and the police using the fences to push the protesters back, while other policemen reached the top of the club to try to cross their lines.
Flash bangs could be heard near the Capitol steps as smoke filled the air. In some cases, police officers can be seen spreading pepper spray. Tear gas was implanted, but it is unclear whether by the protesters or the police, and people wiped away tears as they coughed.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has just announced a citywide curfew from 6 pm ET on Wednesday until 6 am ET Thursday.
Federal and local authorities are responding to reports of possible bombs at various locations in Washington DC, according to a federal official. It is not clear whether the devices are real or a scam, but they are being treated as real.
This is a last-minute story and will be updated.