Afternoon Edition: Trump Supporters Storm Capitol Building, Breaching Security
Spurred on by false claims of election fraud, some supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an unprecedented breach of security on Wednesday afternoon during a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the November Presidential Election.
Thousands of Trump supporters were gathered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to protest President-Elect Joseph R. Biden’s win and demonstrate their loyalty to Trump. After a rally where Trump spoke, supporters then moved to the Capitol building where they rushed the stairs and forced their way inside.
Protesters have breached the Capitol. They’re outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/I021tKliUD
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
Capitol Police initiated a lockdown of the building, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence—who was in the Senate Chamber—was rushed to a secure location, and officials began evacuating lawmakers and other personnel inside the building. Capitol Police also dispersed tear gas in an attempt to clear the demonstrators from the building. House members, many of whom had to shelter in place, were instructed to put on gas masks that are provided to them underneath their seats in case of an emergency.
I am in the House Chambers. We have been instructed to lie down on the floor and put on our gas masks. Chamber security and Capitol Police have their guns drawn as protesters bang on the front door of the chamber.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 6, 2021
This is not a protest. This is an attack on America.
As of the time of this publication, Security Management had not received confirmed reports of anyone being injured. However, demonstrators had engaged in skirmishes with Capitol Police and were able to gain access to the Senate Chamber, multiple lawmakers’ offices, and more as they overtook the Capitol building.
Protesters have breached the Capitol. They’re outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/I021tKliUD
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a Districtwide curfew beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. Members of the media and essential workers are exempt from the curfew.
This is a developing story, and Security Management will provide updates as more information is confirmed.
