Capitol in Lockdown as Pro-Trump Protesters Breach Building

Ken McIntyre / January 06, 2021

Hundreds of protesters loyal to President Donald Trump made their way into the Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, interrupting lawmakers’ debate of the presidential election results and forcing the evacuation of Vice President Mike Pence as Capitol Police struggled to contain the situation.

Police had moved to block thousands of pro-Trump protesters from getting too close to the Capitol as lawmakers debated objections to a Electoral College count that would make Joe Biden the 46th president of the United States.

According to news reports, some inside the Capitol heard shots fired and video showed a woman bleeding on the floor.

Earlier, news footage showed protesters climbing the exterior walls of the Capitol and moving freely through the building.

Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress, as protesters have breached the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/Cnm4rjeRiD pic.twitter.com/uUoCUOnAVO
— ABC News (@ABC) January 6, 2021

Photos appeared to show Secret Service and police inside the House chamber, training guns at persons outside who had broken glass in the doors. Photos on social media showed protesters sitting inside private offices as well as what appeared to be the Senate chamber.

This violence is unacceptable and needs to be met with the full force of the law.

God bless the Capitol Police who are keeping us safe.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) January 6, 2021

“I’ve never seen a group of protesters lay siege to the Capitol building,” Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier said about 2:50 p.m. as reporters said police were concerned about the Senate and House chambers being breached.

As the day wore on, some on social media began to express doubt that all the trespassers were Trump supporters.

Shortly after 2 p.m., police “locked down” the Capitol in an effort to control the situation, Fox News Channel reported. Members of the House and Senate were expected to “shelter in place” while not being allowed to move about freely, Fox reported.

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.

This is not a protest. This is an attack on America.
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) January 6, 2021

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for the National Guard to be deployed. Just before 4 p.m., Bowser ordered a curfew in the city from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Thursday.

The FBI and other police agencies reportedly arrived to assist Capitol Police.

Police also temporarily evacuated at least one House office building after reports of one or more suspicious packages.

After hearing Trump speak earlier on the Ellipse, a park south of the White House, many of the president’s supporters marched over a mile to the Capitol grounds.

Capitol Police reportedly fired flash-bang grenades and some sort of gas at those who tried to get past barriers.

Inside, the House and Senate were hearing representatives and senators cite evidence of voter fraud and election irregularities in objecting to Electoral College votes for Biden from electors in Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

Televised images at about 2:15 p.m. showed protesters moving up outside stairways and approaching the west front of the Capitol, which normally is off limits, Fox reported.

I fundamentally believe that everyone has the right to peacefully protest and exercise their First Amendment rights. But let me be clear: storming the Capitol steps, breaking police barricades, and disobeying law enforcement orders are not the same thing.
— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) January 6, 2021

Tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda.

Congressmen ordered to grab gas masks under chairs in case have to leave in haste!
— Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 6, 2021

It took 159 years, but a mob marching behind a confederate flag has stormed the US Capitol. They are doing so on @realDonaldTrump’s express orders. pic.twitter.com/Q9MnbT0emZ
— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) January 6, 2021

https://twitter.com/MeghanMcCain/status/1346899759034937346

Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James was among veteran Washington observers urging that protesters cease the violence.

The violence must end. Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for our constitutional government must be restored. Everyone should condemn the violent protestors storming the Capitol. This is not the American way.
— Kay C. James (@KayColesJames) January 6, 2021

BREAKING: Senate recesses Electoral College debate after protesters force lockdown of Capitol. https://t.co/2JwjdpR3eU
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 6, 2021

An aide to Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) is heard telling him "Protesters are in the building," as joint Congress meeting abruptly enters recess while pro-Trump protesters storm the U.S. Capitol https://t.co/wTKxzqAo9U pic.twitter.com/0MBGdSNNXo
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 6, 2021

I really wish people wouldn’t climb the Capitol walls or breach secure areas.

Not a good idea.
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) January 6, 2021

WATCH: U.S. Senate takes abrupt recess as protesters enter Capitol building pic.twitter.com/YhkpQkUP4M
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2021

About as irresponsible as it gets considering that his supporters are storming the Capitol right now. https://t.co/zvnpWgrF8y
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 6, 2021

"the mob has overtaken the process … security here at the US Capitol has failed" pic.twitter.com/f01D6ZlukK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 6, 2021

https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1346909284198719488

Trump supporters at the US Capitol. Throw them all in prison! https://t.co/ZqestVjN5V
— Amy Siskind ???? (@Amy_Siskind) January 6, 2021

Calls grew for Trump to clearly call for an end to the trespassing and violence at the Capitol after he used Twitter to urge supporters to be peaceful and not hurt Capitol Police and other authorities.

I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

Just after 4 p.m., Biden went on camera to call for Trump to address the nation on television and insist on order.