U.S. Capitol on Lockdown After Pro-Trump Demonstrators Storm Inside
Protesters derailed the typically routine process of Congress certifying the presidential election results on Wednesday, with both chambers abruptly recessing after President Trump’s supporters clashed with police and forced their way into the U.S. Capitol.
A House office building was evacuated, and the Capitol and surrounding office buildings were locked down as pro-Trump demonstrators protesting the election results pushed past barricades and made it to the hallways outside the House and Senate chambers. Some were carrying Trump flags, video posted on Twitter showed.
According to pool reports, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chamber, where he had been presiding over the certification.
Lawmakers were also evacuated from the House, according to pool reports.
Another pool report said: “There’s an armed standoff at the House front the door police officers have their guns drawn at someone who is trying to reach the front door.”
Trump at a rally earlier in the day had encouraged demonstrators to march on the Capitol. He then promised to march with them to the Capitol, but returned to the White House instead.
The violent demonstration unfolded as lawmakers had gathered to tally the Electoral College votes, the final step in formalizing Joe Biden’s presidential win.
Dozens of Republicans were expected to file a series of objections to Biden’s votes from a handful of swing states, alleging fraud claims that have failed in lawsuits brought by the legal team of Trump, who has refused to concede.
The House and Senate convened briefly to begin tallying votes, and the first objection was filed to Arizona’s 11 electoral votes. The two chambers began debate over that objection, which was raised by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and 60 colleagues, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
That debate was upended as the protesters approached the building. As Capitol Police closed the doors to lock down the House floor, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) shouted to Republicans, “This is because of you,” according to pool reports.
Rep. David J. Trone (D-Md.) leaving the House chamber Wednesday. Trone Twitter photo.
Rep. David J. Trone (D-Md.) tweeted a picture of himself wearing an emergency suit, leaving the House gallery.
“I am safe,” he wrote. “We have been evacuated. Let me be clear: we will not be stopped by this lawless intimidation.”
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) ordered a 6 p.m. citywide curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday.
Maryland Matters reporter Josh Kurtz contributed to this report.
Ariana Figueroa
Washington correspondent
Ariana covers the nation’s capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance. Before joining States Newsroom, Ariana covered public health and chemical policy on Capitol Hill for E&E News. As a Florida native, she’s worked for the Miami Herald and her hometown paper, the Tampa Bay Times. Her work has also appeared in the Chicago Tribune and NPR. She is a graduate of the University of Florida.
Laura Olson
Reporter
Laura Olson covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Maryland Matters. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.
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