US Capitol lockdown: Trump-sanctioned insurrection besieges Washington
Gavin Riley / Our Today
administrator
The US Capitol in Washington DC was put on lockdown on Wednesday (January 6) as pro-Trump demonstrators swarmed outside the building as lawmakers met. Protesters breached security barricades around the building.
Adding to an already dramatic day in the US Congress, Vice President Mike Pence rejected Donald Trump’s demand that he try to overturn the results of the presidential election and the Senate’s top Republican denounced a bid by the president’s allies to challenge Trump’s loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Pence, a loyal lieutenant during the four years of Trump’s tumultuous presidency, presided over the opening of a joint session of Congress to formally certify Biden’s November 3 victory over Trump.
More details to follow.
Update: Mayor of Washington DC Muriel Bowser has declared a curfew effective 6:00 pm amid the pro-Trump protests sweeping the US Capitol.
Update: The chambers of the US Senate and the House of Represenatives are being evacuated as reports of increased confrontation continue.
Update: An armed standoff ensues at the House chamber as pro-Trump supporters attempt to breach the door.
Update: The Pentagon has denied a request to deploy National Guard to the US Capitol. Protesters have breached the Capitol building, who are adamant, angrily so, that Donald Trump was ‘robbed’ of the elections.
Update: President Donald Trump is asking his protesters to “stay peaceful”. Trump, in a tweet, said, “Please support our Capitol police and law enforcement. They are truly on the side of our country.” Said protestors traded blows with police before breaching the US Capitol building, which triggered mass evacuations of members of the Senate and Congress.
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