By Emily Bogle, Claire Harbage, Reese Oxner, NPR
Pro-Trump extremists stormed Capitol Hill on Wednesday, halting the Electoral College certification and sending the U.S. Capitol into lockdown.
Chaos erupted in downtown D.C. A woman was shot and killed. President Trump ordered the National Guard. Violent mobs smashed windows and occupied buildings. Police had their guns drawn inside the Capitol as they attempted to control the situation.
The assault comes after two months of Trump and other Republican leaders baselessly saying the election was stolen from him.
Even while calling for peace in a video on Twitter, Trump repeated his claim that the election was fraudulent. "We love you. You're very special," he said, as he told his supporters in D.C. to go home.
Lawmakers will resume accepting the Electoral College ballots for President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, after authorities cleared the Capitol building.
See scenes from the assault below.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the U.S. Capitol.Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images
Left: Protesters gather on the door of the U.S. Capitol Building. Right: A protester wears a gas mask after storming the U.S. Capitol.Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images; Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images
Extremists breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images
Left: U.S. Capitol Police draw their guns as protesters attempt to enter the House Chamber. Right: Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress.Drew Angerer / Getty Images
A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber.Win McNamee / Getty Images
Protesters in the U.S. Capitol Building.Win McNamee / Getty Images
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they invade the Inauguration platform.Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images
U.S. Capitol Police detain protesters outside of the House Chamber.Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Left: A person on a stretcher is placed in an ambulance outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Right: Authorities remove protesters from the U.S. Capitol.Jacquelyn Martin / AP
A flag hangs between broken windows outside the U.S. CapitolJohn Minchillo / AP
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today