US Capitol on lockdown as protesters storm the building
Jan 6, 2021, 12:17 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 12:57 pm
WASHINGTON– The US Capitol is on lockdown as protesters opposing the electoral vote count for President-elect Joe Biden break barriers to storm the building. The Senate halted the Electoral College debate due to the protesters breaking into the Capitol.
US lawmakers shelter in place
Lawmakers have been given gas masks after reports of tear gas being used on protesters who breached the Rotunda.
We’ve been given gas masks on the House floor. Tear gas has been used in the Rotunda.
— Rep. Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 6, 2021
Additional members of Congress are sheltering in place and other buildings are evacuating.
I’m sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this.
— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) January 6, 2021
I just had to evacuate my office because of a pipe bomb reported outside. Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots. (1/2)
— Rep. Elaine Luria (@RepElaineLuria) January 6, 2021
Utah Rep. John Stewart posted a video on Twitter stating and his staff members are safe inside the Capitol.
“It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol,” said the Congressman. “This is not who we are, we’re better than this.”
My staff and I are safe— thank you to @CapitolPolice for working tirelessly.
It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol. This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate. pic.twitter.com/I2X3e7nGt0
— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) January 6, 2021
Violence is always unacceptable. Even when passions run high.
Anyone engaged in violence—especially against law enforcement—should be fully prosecuted.
God bless the Capitol Police and the honorable men & women of law enforcement who show great courage keeping all of us safe.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 6, 2021
Documentation of protesters at the Capitol
Videos surfacing on Twitter display mass crowds tearing down security fencing and scaling barriers as federal law enforcement use tactics such as tear gas and pepper spray to stop the crowds from barging the Capitol.
The US Capitol offices under evacuation orders as Trump supporters close in @kslnewsradio @LeeLons @D2KSL https://t.co/RqZ6cRUTNe
— Debbie Dujanovic (@debbieksl) January 6, 2021
Warning: the above video does contain explicit language.
Whoa: Trump supporters going at it with the police on the steps of the Capitol as Congress counts the Electoral College ballots inside pic.twitter.com/LiQhaa5KkQ
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 6, 2021
Staff in the Senate Press gallery staff just informed reporters sitting at their desks that if protestors storm the Capitol building they will usher us all into the Senate chamber and lock the door
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) January 6, 2021
I’m safe. We’ve been equipped with escape hoods and we’re being moved through the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/8YRX9Z3UTo
— Rep. Alex Mooney (@RepAlexMooney) January 6, 2021
Here is the moment protestors entered Statuary Hall in the US Capitol.
(LANGUAGE)#DCProtests pic.twitter.com/BnVHrI4G97
— Colby Walker (@walk_colb) January 6, 2021
Protesters have climbed the scaffolding outside Senate and started banging on the windows.
Several people got on to a scaffolding outside Senate, took it to second floor, which looked like the area where McConnell’s office is located, and started banging on windows pic.twitter.com/IIZ21nkzFT
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
It’s unclear how many buildings are currently under evacuation orders and how many congressional officials are sheltering in place.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
