On Wednesday (Jan. 6), the U.S. Congress held a joint session to certify the results of the Electoral College vote in each state’s presidential election. Arizona election results were the first to be challenged. As of about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, protest crowds outside Congress entered the Capitol, disrupting the certification process and putting the Capitol on lockdown.
Nearby buildings were evacuated Wednesday afternoon as protesting crowds entered the U.S. Capitol while Congress was in a joint session debating the first Arizona involved in an election fraud controversy.
According to news coming out of reporters on the scene, Capitol Police have just said the Capitol was breached and Capitol Police are conducting an investigation. Meanwhile, Capitol Police have just issued a new lockdown order calling for all buildings in the Capitol to be sealed off.
“You can move around the entire building, but stay away from the outside doors and windows. If you are outside, seek cover.” The lockdown order reads.
House members and reporters are now inside the House chamber.
“Thank you to the Capitol Police for protecting the House. Protesters have a constitutionally protected right, but I urge them to remain peaceful,” House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on Twitter.
Here are the live updates (EST).
15:43
Windows in the U.S. Capitol are broken. Video taken at the U.S. Capitol shows a number of people breaking window panes and then climbing through the broken glass windows.
15:42
Rioters inside the Senate have been cleared. An official tells CNN they have managed to clear the rioters out of the Senate building’s wing and they are clearing them out of the east and west doors of the Capitol.
Things seem to be calming down on the Senate side. It’s uncertain what the situation is in the House of Representatives.
15:41
White House spokesman Kayleigh McEnany tweeted that the National Guard is on its way to DC as directed by President Trump and they will be with the other federal protective services.
We reiterate President Trump’s call to oppose violence and keep the peace.
15:39
The violence and vandalism at the U.S. Capitol must stop, and it must stop now. Those involved must respect law enforcement and leave the building immediately.
It is the right of every American to protest peacefully, but attacks on our Capitol will not be tolerated and (we) will prosecute those involved to the fullest extent of the law.
15:37
The New York Times quoted Virginia National Guard officials as saying 200 state troopers were dispatched to Washington, D.C.
15:36
Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas urged the rioters to “stop immediately.
Cruz said those who stormed the Capitol need to stop now. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence (whether from the left or the right) is always wrong. Those who engage in violence are undermining the very thing they support.
15:33
A woman was shot on the upper floors of the Capitol and is in critical condition, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
The sources could not provide more details on the circumstances of the shooting.
15:30
Congressional House Minority Leader Mackenzie, speaking to the media about the Capitol breach, said, “This is not America anymore …… I am beyond saddened and disappointed in the way our country looks at this moment …… This is not the American way . This is not protected by the First Amendment. It has to stop now.”
15:26
The House and Senate leadership is safe and in an undisclosed location, people familiar with the matter said.
Another lawmaker said House members have been evacuated to a location.
The U.S. Capitol Police are working to secure the second floor of the Capitol first, and then will expand from there.
Outside the Capitol, the Metropolitan Washington Police Department continues to mass gather, however no significant action has been taken against the crowd at this time.
15:25
Rep. Mo Brooks tweeted again to reveal the situation for members of the House, saying, “As far as I know, the evacuation of the House is complete. Everyone is safe. Evacuation was urgent but orderly. During the evacuation, loud protests were heard echoing through the halls of the Capitol. Thank goodness for the Capitol Police! As the House was evacuated, Capitol Police rushed to the area we had just left. (For now, everyone) awaits further instructions.”
15:23
House Minority Leader Mackenzie said he spoke to Trump, urging a statement to ask protesters to calm down.
15:21
Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli admonished protesters on Twitter, saying, “If you violate police orders to enter the Capitol, you must leave. There is an appropriate place to address grievances. But this is not the place to settle.”
15:19
Trump tweeted again, “I ask everyone in the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, we are the party of law and order – respect the law and the fine men and women in our police force. Thank you!”
15:16
House members are receiving gas masks under their seats, according to a reporter on the floor of the House.
“Rules Committee Chairman McGovern (R-Ariz.) is telling members that there is tear gas in the rotunda, grab the masks under the seats and get ready to put them on. Everyone was freaking out. Members were reaching for their gas masks.” The reporter said.
Everyone in the House chamber was told to move to the checkroom.
The journalist said there were about 100 people inside the House chamber.
15:15
MSNBC is reporting that a stretcher has brought out a person, who appears to be a protester, with serious injuries.
15:10
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Texas), who is preparing to challenge the election results, tweeted, “These actions by protesters at the U.S. Capitol are despicable and unacceptable. Although I am safe and have found sanctuary, these protests make it impossible to meet our constitutional obligations. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms. We are a nation of laws.”
15:00
White House security posture escalated. White House staff and reporters are allowed in and out, but uniformed Secret Service officers with assault rifles are now patrolling the grounds.
In addition, Marines were on guard outside the West Wing after President Trump returned to the White House from an earlier rally. Marines later entered inside, indicating that Trump is not currently in the Oval Office.
An armed standoff occurred at the front door of the House of Representatives, where police pulled guns on people trying to reach the front door.
Hejinli, who was in Congress this afternoon for Electoral College vote certification, is also currently safe, but declined to vote on where she is now, a Hejinli aide said.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Texas), who is involved in the challenge to the election, tweeted, “The professionalism of the Capitol Police was amazing, and I sincerely thank them for their work and condemn all illegal activity.”
14:53
Mayor Bowser issued a citywide curfew Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 7), except for essential staff, including medical personnel and media personnel.
Federal and local law enforcement are responding to reports of possible pipe bombs at multiple locations in Washington, DC.
It is unclear whether the devices are real or hoaxes, but they are being treated as such.
14:52
Vice President Pence has been evacuated from the U.S. Capitol. Electoral College certification voting has been suspended after protesters broke into the Capitol.
14:50
A lawmaker confirms to CNN that the House of Representatives is being evacuated. According to reports, protesters who broke into the Capitol were heard banging on the doors of the House floor.
14:46
Jan Jekielek, a reporter on the scene for The Epoch Times, confirms that some members of the media were also evacuated and that the evacuation order appears to have ended as of 1:55 p.m.
Reporters saw what appeared to be supporters of President Trump (Trump) and others marching toward the Capitol, storming the barricades.
Officials told Fox News that in addition to the Cannon House office building, the Madison Library of Congress building was also evacuated.
The right-wing group “Proud Boys” said on the social media site Parler that “patriots are storming the Capitol” and posted a video from inside the Capitol.
14:38
President Trump tweeted, “Please support our Capitol Police and law enforcement, they are truly on our country’s side, please keep the peace!”
14:35
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) tweeted, “Tear gas is scattered in the Capitol rotunda.
Members of Congress ordered to grab their gas masks under their chairs for a quick getaway!”
14:10
Senator Cruz, for his part, said American democracy is in crisis. He said that both parties should be more aware that “democracy is in crisis.
Cruz also said he wanted to say to those Republicans who were planning to vote against challenging the Arizona election results, “I understand your concerns, but I urge you to stop and think about what it means to the nearly half of the country that believes this election was rigged if we vote without considering the allegations of illegality and fraud in this election. I believe there is a better way, and the leaders have just talked about putting the election on hold. Let me be clear, I’m not advocating that this election be set aside.”
Cruz also reminded colleagues that if you vote against challenging the election results, then tens of millions of Americans will see voting against it as a statement “that voter fraud doesn’t matter, isn’t real and shouldn’t be taken seriously.”
“I believe that would jeopardize the legitimacy of this election and subsequent elections.” Cruz said.
14:05
Trump 33 minutes ago – Mike Pence doesn’t have the courage to do what should be done to protect our country and our Constitution and give states a chance to certify corrected facts instead of fraudulent or inaccurate results that were previously required to be certified. America demands the truth!
14:00
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said lawmakers who oppose the Electoral College vote are a “minority” group that will lose.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his opening remarks to the Senate debate on the Arizona election results that today’s vote will be his “most important election ever.
This will be the most important vote I’ve ever taken,” he said. President Trump claimed the election was stolen. These claims range from specific local allegations to constitutional arguments to generalized conspiracy theories.”
A number of senators will participate in the debate next.
13:45
The first controversial state to be challenged is Arizona. Rep. Paul Gosar, a federal Republican from that state, is dissenting from his state’s electoral vote results. Also joining the challenge to the state’s general election results are about 60 House members and one senator. Several lawmakers applauded Gosar after he filed his dissent.
The senator who filed the challenge was Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Cruz said it would mean something to the nearly half of the country that believes this election is rigged if we vote without taking into account the illegality and fraud in the election.
Given that at least one member of the House and Senate each challenged the results of Arizona’s general election, the Senate president, Vice President Pence, who presided over the joint session, said their objections were in accordance with the law and therefore declared the debate for members of each chamber.
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