Trump Mob Attacks Capitol; 4 Deaths; 69 Arrests; FBI Seeks Tips

Updated at 11:22 a.m. Jan. 7

WASHINGTON, DC — In the aftermath of a mob that fought with police, pushed through clouds of tear gas and posed for selfies inside the U.S. Capitol, the FBI is asking for tips and video that can identify the rioters who temporarily halted the certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.

Wednesday's mayhem overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated, and a California woman was shot to death. Three other deaths were reported around the Capitol grounds. D.C.'s police chief said one woman and two men suffered fatal medical emergencies, but did not elaborate.

On Thursday, the FBI asked for tips and digital media from the rioting and violence that can to lead agents to the D.C. rioters. The agency said anyone who saw unlawful violent actions is asked to submit their information, photos or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol. Witnesses also can call -800-CALL-FBI (1-‪800-225-5324) to report tips.

Metropolitan Police in DC made 69 arrests from Wednesday afternoon into the night for curfew violations and other offenses. A Hill reporter shared a copy of the arrest log, which showed many of those cited were from North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Karl Racine, DC Attorney General, pushed back against criticism on the security lapse at the Capitol. DC Police responded to the call to put down the and did their job.

“Our federal partners let us down,” Racine said.

Despite DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's criticism, there were federal forces on the ground Wednesday at her request.

"Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser requested approximately 340 D.C. National Guardsmen to assist D.C. police in preparation for possible protests today," Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesman said, in a statement on Wednesday. "That request was approved. Today, the mayor requested the full activation of the D.C. Guard to support local and federal law enforcement as they respond to the situation at the Capitol. That request was approved. There have been no other requests from the D.C. government."

Related: How Federal Response At Capitol Differed From June Protests

Racine also called for Trump’s removal from office. He tweeted: "I have called ... for invocation of the 25th Amendment... Let's give Vice President Pence two weeks of Presidency and get Donald Trump out tomorrow."

Bowser issued a new order Wednesday night to extend her public emergency declaration for D.C. residents through 3 p.m Jan. 21, one day after Biden's inauguration. Earlier Wednesday, Bowser had declared a public emergency and a one-day curfew as part of a public safety measure in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol.

The Senate and House resumed the electoral count at 8 p.m. ET, with comments from the vice president and Senate leaders condemning the "thugs" who desecrated the building. At 3:40 a.m. Thursday, lawmakers completed their constitutionally mandated count, the Associated Press reported.

Overnight, President Donald Trump grudgingly acknowledged his defeat.

"Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th," he said in a tweet issued by a staffer. Twitter suspended Trump's account for 12 hours over continued falsehoods about election fraud.

Acting Chief Robert Contee of the Metropolitan Police Department said several planning meetings were held with the U.S. Capitol Police before the riot at the Capitol, and platoons of MPD officers were deployed to the riot.

“For the city’s response, in terms of how the Metropolitan Police Department deployed its officers, I’m very comfortable with that,” Contee said. “I think we’ll all look back to examine the different plans that were in place, the coordination, what U.S. Capitol Police plans, what they were. Certainly, there was an agreement if there was any assistance that was needed, MPD would answer that call, and we did that today. We answered the call.”

Chaos Erupts At Capitol Wednesday

With the city under a mandatory curfew extended through Jan. 21, police moved to arrest or disperse remaining protesters. CNN reported that at least a dozen people on the streets were arrested for breaking curfew. A state of emergency was declared in adjacent Virginia, while the suburbs of Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, are also under a curfew.

D.C. police arrested at least 30 people for violating the curfew, according to multiple reports, and Contee said five guns were seized from the unruly crowd. None of those arrested are D.C. residents, police said.

“Today, what we witnessed was unlawful, riotous behavior, and people who come to our city and engage in unlawful behavior will be held accountable,” Contee said, according to a WTOP report. “A riot was declared. It was clear that the crowd was intent on causing harm to our officers by deploying chemical irritants on police to force entry to the U.S. Capitol building.”

Members of Congress from both parties implored Trump on Wednesday to use his influence on Twitter to quell the afternoon's violence. One person suffered a gunshot wound in the Capitol and later died, authorities said.

KUSI News in San Diego said the victim was Ashli Babbit, a 14-year Air Force veteran. Her husband reportedly told the station Babbit was a strong supporter of the president.

Contee said the shooting was under investigation by MPD's Internal Affairs Division, which investigates all officer-involved shootings in the District no matter which agency is involved.

The Capitol was stormed after Trump told the teeming crowd of protesters at a rally that he would never concede. However, he later seemed to capitulate to critics who said he had fueled the insurgents, telling his supporters to "go home in peace."

"This was a fraudulent election," he said in a tweeted video at 4:17 p.m. ET, "but we cannot play into the hands of these people."

But the president was castigated for telling his supporters, "We love you. You’re very special.”

Related: 12 Surreal Photos Of Violence, 'Chaos' At U.S. Capitol

President-Elect Biden said in a televised broadcast around the same time that the chaos unfolding on Capitol Hill was "disorder, not dissent." He said the country's democracy has been under unprecedented assault and described Wednesday's chaos as a "God-awful display."

"The scenes of chaos at the Capitol, do not reflect a true America or who we are," Biden said. "America is so much better than what we are seeing today."

Biden repeatedly urged Trump to "step up" to calm the nation's capital.

Former President Barack Obama said the mob violence was a national shame.

“For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth — that this was not a particularly close election and that President-elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20,” Obama said in a statement released Wednesday night.

As authorities surged into the Capitol complex, a CNN reporter said police were moving rioters off the steps on the east side of the Capitol, with many people in the crowd then leaving the area. Shortly before 6 p.m., law enforcement told reporters on scene that the Capitol building was secure.

Related: Electoral College Count Declaring Biden Winner On Hold Amid Riots

Before a 6 p.m. curfew took effect in D.C., many of the rioters taunted the news media and police as they moved away. D.C.'s mayor said they could face arrest if they are on the streets overnight.

Mayor Bowser issued an order Wednesday night to extend her public emergency for D.C. residents for a total of 15 days. Under her new order, the public emergency runs through 3 p.m on Jan. 21.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a Democrat from Florida, called for Trump's removal from office.

“The 25th Amendment allows for the removal of a president. It’s time to remove the President,” he tweeted.

Crist added, “The dissemination of violent rhetoric and dangerous misinformation before and after President-elect Joe Biden’s win in November laid the groundwork for this attack on our democracy.”

The head of the National Association of Manufacturers called on Vice President Mike Pence to consider removing Trump from office for inciting the rioting at the Capitol.

Jay Timmons, the NAM's president and CEO who once worked as a GOP congressional aide, blasted the "armed violent protestors who support the baseless claim by outgoing president (sic) Trump that he somehow won an election that he overwhelmingly lost."

"Throughout this whole disgusting episode, Trump has been cheered on by members of his own party, adding fuel to the distrust that has enflamed violent anger. This is not law and order. This is chaos. It is mob rule. It is dangerous. This is sedition and should be treated as such," Timmons said in a statement released by the association.

Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican and one of the leaders of a coalition of a dozen senators who planned to object to the confirmation of Biden as the 46th president, said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon that "the violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job."

Other supporters of Trump fell away as the unrest intensified. Mick Mulvaney, the president's former chief of staff, said that Trump "can stop this now and needs to do exactly that. Tell these folks to go home."

Vice President Mike Pence, who had clashed with Trump over his role presiding over the Electoral College count, also implored protesters to vacate the Capitol in a post on Twitter.

Bowser had earlier asked the National Guard to provide crowd control in her city; but because the District is not a state, Bowser does not have the same authority as a governor to activate the National Guard. That request would have to come from the White House.

The National Guard was called in to help calm the crowd — at Trump's order, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, adding: "We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful."

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered his State Police to help DC's Metropolitan Police end the violence at the Capitol. The Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department, in response to a plea for help from D.C. police, sent 53 tactical officers to D.C. this afternoon to help put down the rioting.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam sent Virginia National Guard members and 200 Virginia state troopers to D.C. to help restore order.

Threats of violence extended Wednesday across Washington, D.C.

Two explosive devices were found at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington and the nearby headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, which was evacuated, The New York Times reported. The devices were pipe bombs, and at least one was destroyed by a bomb squad, according to an official for the RNC.

Law enforcement officials said the device was no longer a threat Wednesday afternoon.

Trump supporters spilled into the streets in several cities across the country, including in Georgia, where Democrats won two runoff races, according to unofficial election results. Their wins split the chamber evenly between the two major political partie. In tie votes, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will cast the deciding votes.

RELATED

• Georgia Representatives Call For Trump's Impeachment
• Protesters Breach Gates Of Governor's Mansion In Olympia
• Pro-Trump Supporters Rally In Chicago
• Northam Sends Virginia National Guard, Reps Shelter Amid DC Riots
• Pro-Trump Demonstrators Gather Outside Texas Capitol
• Protesters Amass In CA In 'Wild' Protest Of 2020 Election Results
• Crist Calls For Trump's Removal; FL Leaders Condemn DC Violence

In Las Vegas, about 100 people convened to protest Biden’s election win. In Utah, supporters gathered at the state capitol in Salt Lake City, most of whom gathered following the march on the U.S. Capitol, ABC 4 reported. The gathering prompted the Utah governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices to send staff home as a precaution.

In New Mexico, the Capitol was evacuated by state police after a raucous but peaceful crowd of about 300 gathered. They waved American flags and banners that ranged from "Stop the Steal" to "Don't Tread on Me,” the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. Some protesters lined the street cheering loudly as cars passed.

On Capitol Hill, both the Library of Congress and the Cannon House Office Building were evacuated Wednesday afternoon after numerous demonstrators marched down to the U.S. Capitol and forced their way into both chambers of Congress. The moves followed a speech by Trump and the first round of congressional objections to Biden's election.

The Washington Post reported that hundreds of protesters stormed the Capitol barricades. A Huffington Post politics reporter then tweeted out that the Capitol Building itself had been breached.

CNN reports that authorities used flashbangs to push back protesters, but the network’s footage later showed people milling through the Statuary Hall.

There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and the debate over the electoral count was suspended, the Associated Press reported. A representative from the Capitol Police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told lawmakers to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon.

A staffer on the House floor told NBC’s Cory Smith that they were being asked to put gas masks in the chamber, as protesters banged on the chamber door. Capitol Police and the body's sergeant at arms had their guns drawn as protesters tried to make their way inside the House chamber, the network said.

Protesters gained access to the Senate floor, where the Electoral College votes were being debated for certification.

The Washington Post reports Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi asked the National Guard to clear and secure the Capitol via a request from a Capitol Police Board. A Pelosi staffer said she is safe, but didn't share her location, NBC reported.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin, called in to CNN to ask Trump to use his Twitter power to urge protesters to leave the Capitol and go home.

Rep. Mark Pocan tweeted from inside the Capitol: "It's a sad day for America when the President incites domestic terrorism," said the Democrat from Wisconsin.

Bowser ordered a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. No person other than those designated by the mayor was allowed to walk, bike, run loiter, stand, or travel by car or other mode of transportation on any District street, alley, park, or other public place.

The curfew does not apply to essential workers, including working media with outlet-issued credentials, when they are engaged in essential functions or traveling to and from their essential work.

"This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today," Rep. Nancy Mace said in a post on Twitter. The South Carolina Republican also reported seeing protesters assault Capitol Police.

Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.

This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today. pic.twitter.com/jC9P0YfSLQ
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 6, 2021

“Our Democracy is being attacked and disrupted by a mob incited by a corrupt and disgraceful President,” Rep. Kathleen Murphy of Virginia said on Twitter. “(President Trump) has incited a riot. Does anyone need any more evidence of his lack of respect for America and disqualification to be President?”

About 2:40 p.m. the president tweeted: "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"

MPD told The Washington Post it had made 10 arrests between Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday at the pro-Trump demonstrations, including for weapons violations and assault.

As Congress prepared Wednesday to ratify the results of the 2020 election, far-right supporters of Trump rallied in the District to back his false claim that he won the election.

The president has lost more than 60 court challenges nationwide as judges have ruled his attorneys have presented no proof of voter fraud or election tampering.

Earlier this week, Bowser and other local leaders urged people around the D.C. region to avoid the downtown area and not confront the demonstrators.

Also see: Electoral College Count On Biden Win Set Amid Unrest: Livestream

"We are urging D.C. residents, people from around the region, to avoid the downtown area and especially avoid people who are coming here to look for confrontations, particularly physical confrontations," Bowser said, during a Monday morning press conference.

By 9 a.m. on Wednesday, thousands of Trump supporters had already gathered on the National Mall to await an expected appearance by Trump, according to a tweet from Washington Post reporter Michael Brice-Saddler.

It’s difficult to illustrate just how dense this crowd of Trump Supporters is in downtown D.C. hours before President Trump is expected to speak.

Internet connection is poor so don’t expect many tweets from me, but please follow our coverage @postlocal for updates today. pic.twitter.com/mSQ6qR0See
— Michael Brice-Saddler (@TheArtist_MBS) January 6, 2021

Trump spoke to the crowds gathered outside the White House around noon. He started off by criticizing the media and "big tech."

Trump then began repeating his false claims that he won the presidential election by huge margins, which elicited applause from his followers.

"All of us here today do not want to see our election victory stolen by bold and radical-left Democrats," he said.

The president went on to thank the small number of Republican senators and members of Congress who planned to vote in opposition of the election ratification.

Despite the theatrics by a growing number of Republican lawmakers, Trump's desperate attempt to stay in the White House for another four years has little chance of succeeding in a bipartisan vote in Congress to accept the results declaring Biden the winner of the Electoral College by a margin of 306-232. Biden's inauguration is Jan. 20.

The Metropolitan Police Department and Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency activated the District's Emergency Operations Center on Monday to coordinate the city's response to the demonstrations with federal agencies.

In addition, the National Guard was activated and was to be deployed to assist MPD in crowd management and traffic control.

MPD will enforce District gun laws, which prohibit anyone from carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of a First Amendment activity. Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms on the U.S. Capitol grounds or on National Park Service area, such as Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, and the National Mall.

On Monday, MPD arrested Enrique Tarrio, leader of the far-right the Proud Boys group, according to news reports.

Tarrio was charged in connection with the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner taken from Asbury United Methodist Church on Dec. 12., the Washington Post reported. The banner was later burned by a group of Proud Boys.

Asbury United Methodist was one of four District churches vandalized in the aftermath of the Stop the Steal protest in support of President Donald Trump.

At the same time pro-Trump supporters were gathering on Freedom Plaza Wednesday morning, National City Christian Church unveiled a 16-foot Black Lives Matter banner, according to WJLA.

The church said in a release that the banner is "in response to ongoing fearmongering and racial hatred, the 'national church' of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will bear witness to love and inclusion.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

RELATED

• MD Leaders Condemn 'Insurrection' That Overtook U.S. Capitol
• Gov. Kemp Condemns Capitol Protests; Heightens GA Security
• Trump Suppporters Decry 2020 Election Results In California
• Michigan Lawmakers Condemn Protests As U.S. Capitol Breached
• MN Lawmakers React As Trump Supporters Breach U.S. Capitol
• Washington Lawmakers React As Protest Breaches U.S. Capitol
• Colorado Lawmakers Condemn Breach, Violence At U.S. Capitol
• Alabama Lawmakers Condemn Violence As U.S. Capitol Breached
• Ohio Lawmakers Condemn Breach, Violence At U.S. Capitol
• 'Say A Prayer For Our Country': RI Lawmakers On Capitol Chaos
• IL Reps, Duckworth Safe Amid 'Attempted Coup' At U.S. Capitol
• 'This Is A Coup Attempt:' IL Congressman Kinzinger