Amid the crises in the US Capitol, which is presently under lockdown, D.C. National Guard has been fully activated says the Pentagon Chief and D.C. mayor has implemented a 6 p.m. ET curfew.
In what may appear to be a movie but unfortunately, this was real life as the Police drew guns inside the US Capitol to protect lawmakers when Trump supporters stormed the building; one person was shot after a pro-Trump mob breached the Capitol.
As hundreds of rioters and supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol, where members of Congress was meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win Wednesday afternoon, both the House and Senate were meeting inside the Chambers after President Trump urged them to march there and pressure Congress to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s win. ⠀
The stunning display of insurrection on Wednesday was the first time the US Capitol had been breached since the British attacked and burned the building in August of 1814, during the War of 1812, according to Samuel Holliday, director of scholarship and operations with the US Capitol Historical Society.
According to the Guardian, a large pro-Trump mob stormed Congress after attending a rally in Washington. Some were armed, and some were involved in physical clashes with the police, while others were able to enter the Senate and House chambers.
Trump had earlier told the mob in a televised speech now taken down by social media giants: “We love you” and called them “very special”.
It has now been confirmed that Ashley Babbitt has died after being shot on the grounds of the Capitol. Ashley was a former 14 year Air Force veteran from San Diego.
A former DC police chief has said “this is as close to a coup attempt as this country has ever seen”.
President-elect Joe Biden has publicly criticized the situation and his colleagues.
“It must end. Now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward.
“At this hour our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we’ve seen in recent times.
“The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America”. Biden said.
One of the mobs who breached Capitol security sat at a desk in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Trump previously called on his supporters to “remain peaceful” despite instructing them to march to the Capitol during his rally earlier in the day.
The rioters could be seen walking through the building’s famous Statuary Hall after pushing aside barricades and shoving police out of the way, waving Trump and American flags, and cheering from the balconies of the Capitol building. Thousands of supporters of President Trump surrounded the Capitol, and some climbed up the outside walls. ⠀
The police presence appeared to be minimal, though there were some police in riot gear on the east side of the Capitol by the Senate entrance. ⠀
A mob chanted “Take the building!” and “Stop the steal!”—a popular catchphrase as Trump’s supporters challenged the results of the November presidential election. ⠀
Hilary Clinton in a tweet wrote: “Today, domestic terrorists attacked a foundation of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power following free elections.
“We must re-establish the rule of law and hold them accountable.
“Democracy is fragile. Our leaders must live up to their responsibility to protect it.”
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau also tweeted during the insurrection calling on Democracy to prevail in the U.S while also expressing his dismay.
Amid the insurrection, the NPR reported that Nancy Pelosi was in consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department, and Vice President Mike Pence, who decided that they proceeded at night at the Capitol once it was cleared for use.
In a televised speech on CNN VP, Mike Pence urged Congress to get back to work.
“To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today: You did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the people’s house. As we reconvene… the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy.” He said.
The events caused the Capitol Police to order lawmakers to lock themselves in their offices. Two House office buildings were evacuated, and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a 6 p.m. citywide curfew. ⠀
Despite the siege that befell the US Capitol, Congress session is currently underway to certify Biden’s victory.