Capitol Chaos As Pro-Trump Mob Turns Lawless

By Laura Olson| Ariana Figueroa, the Nevada Current

January 6, 2021

WASHINGTON – A mob derailed the typically routine process of Congress certifying the presidential election results on Wednesday, with both chambers abruptly recessing after President Donald Trump’s supporters clashed with police and forced their way into the U.S. Capitol.

A House office building was evacuated, and the Capitol and surrounding office buildings were locked down as pro-Trump demonstrators protesting the election results pushed past barricades and made it to the hallways outside the House and Senate chambers and clashed with law enforcement. Some were carrying Trump flags, video posted on Twitter showed.

According to pool reports, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chamber, where he had been presiding over the certification.

As Pence was rushed away, Senate parliamentary staff grabbed hold of the boxes containing the Electoral College certificates.

Lawmakers were also evacuated from the House, as confirmed by members of Congress themselves on social media.

Another pool report said: “There’s an armed standoff at the house … police officers have their guns drawn at someone who is trying to reach the front door.”

Trump at a rally had encouraged demonstrators to march on the Capitol, and indicated he would march with them to the Capitol, but instead returned to the White House.

As the violent demonstration was unfolding Trump blasted his vice president in a tweet, saying Mike Pence for refusing to attempt to block confirmation of Joe Biden’s victory over Trump, an act a vice president did not have the authority to do during Wednesday’s procedures.

In a tweet later in the day, Trump said “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”

Trump’s supporters unleashed the chaos as lawmakers had gathered to tally the Electoral College votes, the final step in formalizing Joe Biden’s presidential win.

Dozens of Republicans were expected to file a series of objections to Biden’s votes from a handful of swing states, alleging fraud claims that have failed in lawsuits brought by the legal team of Trump, who has refused to concede.

The House and Senate convened briefly to begin tallying votes, and the first objection was filed to Arizona’s 11 electoral votes. The two chambers began debate over that objection, which was raised by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and 60 colleagues, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

That debate was upended as the protesters approached the building. As Capitol Police closed the doors to lock down the House floor, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) shouted to Republicans, “This is because of you,” according to pool reports.

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. citywide curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday.

This story was originally published by the Nevada Current. For more stories from the Nevada Current, visit NevadaCurrent.com.