BREAKING UPDATE: AP source: 1 person shot at US Capitol amid melee with Trump supporters; condition unknown.WATCH LIVE: US Capitol Police announce security breach inside as lawmakers meet to vote to certify President-elect Biden's victory.Details so far:
Posted by on Wednesday, January 6, 2021
UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The Senate has overwhelmingly turned aside a challenge to President-elect Joe Biden鈥檚 victory in Arizona, guaranteeing the result will stand.
UPDATE: 9:00 p.m.
Police have arrested 30 people for violating a curfew imposed in Washington, D.C., after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Officials say the 30 people were arrested Wednesday evening after being found on the streets after the 6 p.m.
The curfew had been imposed after scores of supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the Capitol, halting the constitutional process of voting to certify President-elect Joe Biden鈥檚 win. They were later forcibly removed from the Capitol.
The Metropolitan Police Department said 15 other people had been arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday in various protest-related arrests on an array of charges, including weapons possession and assault.
Fire officials also took 13 people to area hospitals on Wednesday from protest-related injuries.
UPDATE: 7:35 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Pence says 鈥榲iolence never wins,鈥� McConnell decries 鈥榓ttempted insurrection鈥� as Congress resumes electoral count.
UPDATE: 7:30 p.m.
The Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Biden鈥檚 presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee.
Scores of Republican representatives and 13 GOP senators had planned to object Wednesday to the electoral votes of perhaps six states that backed Biden. It was unclear whether those objections would continue in light of the day鈥檚 violent events.
President Donald Trump has falsely insisted that the election was marred by fraud and that he actually won. He reiterated those claims in remarks to thousands of protesters outside the White House early Wednesday and goaded them to march to the Capitol, which many of them did.
The mayhem had forced the House and Senate to abruptly end the day鈥檚 debates and flee to safety under the protection of police. And it prompted bipartisan outrage as many lawmakers blamed Trump for fostering the violence.
UPDATE: 6:45 p.m.
The Republican National Committee says it strongly condemns the violence at the Capitol, adding that the violent scenes 鈥渄o not represent acts of patriotism, but an attack on our country and its founding principles.鈥�
The RNC is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform. Its statement condemning the violence came hours after Republican President Donald Trump baselessly complained that the election was stripped away 鈥渇rom great patriots.鈥� He went on to tell them to 鈥済o home with love & in peace.鈥�
The group鈥檚 communications director, Michael Ahrens, says, 鈥淲hat happened today was domestic terrorism.鈥�
He says to see the U.S. flag used 鈥渋n the name of unfounded conspiracy theories is a disgrace to the nation, and every decent American should be disgusted by it.鈥�
UPDATE: 5:44 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Pelosi: Congress to resume counting of electoral votes Wednesday evening after Capitol cleared of pro-Trump occupiers
UPDATE: 5:20 p.m.
Former President George W. Bush says he and his wife, Laura, are sickened and heartbroken over the 鈥渕ayhem鈥� in Washington and have watched in 鈥渄isbelief and dismay鈥� as events unfolded.
Bush said the 鈥渁ssault鈥� on the Capitol on Wednesday and the disruption of a constitutionally mandated meeting to affirm Democrat Joe Biden鈥檚 victory was 鈥渦ndertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes.鈥�
The Republican said in a statement that he is 鈥渁ppalled鈥� by what he described as 鈥渞eckless鈥� behavior by some political leaders since the election and the lack of respect for U.S. institutions, traditions and law enforcement.
Bush addressed those who are disappointed by the election result, saying, 鈥淥ur country is more important than the politics of the moment.鈥�
UPDATE: 5:13 p.m.
A woman who was shot inside the U.S. Capitol during the violent pro-Trump protest has died.
That鈥檚 according to two officials familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they weren鈥檛 authorized to speak publicly.
The Metropolitan Police Department said it was taking the lead on the shooting investigation. Police did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the shooting.
UPDATE: 5:08 p.m.
UPDATE: 4:55 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Officials have declared the U.S. Capitol complex 鈥渟ecure鈥� after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of President Donald Trump.
An announcement saying 鈥渢he Capitol is secure鈥� rang out Wednesday evening inside a secure location for officials of the House. Lawmakers applauded.
The occupation interrupted Congress鈥� Electoral College count that will formalize President-elect Joe Biden鈥檚 upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20.
Lawmakers were evacuated to secure locations around the Capitol complex and Washington, D.C. after thousands of Trump supporters breached the building and skirmished with police officers.
Lawmakers have signaled that they would resume the constitutionally mandated count as soon as it was safe to do so.
UPDATE: 4:40 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Police use tear gas and percussion grenades to begin clearing protesters from US Capitol grounds ahead of DC curfew.
The Washington D.C., police chief says at least five weapons have been recovered and at least 13 people have been arrested so far in pro-Trump protests.
UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.
I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment.
Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate.
We can鈥檛 allow him to remain in office, it鈥檚 a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath.
鈥� Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN)
UPDATE: 3:28 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� At least 1 explosive device found near US Capitol; law enforcement officials say it鈥檚 no longer a threat.
UPDATE: 2:55 p.m.
The top Democrats in Congress are demanding that President Donald Trump order his supporters to leave the Capitol following a chaotic protest aimed at blocking a peaceful transfer of power.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement on Wednesday after violent protesters stormed the Capitol. They said, 鈥淲e are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately.鈥�
Trump earlier encouraged his supporters occupying the U.S. Capitol to 鈥渞emain peaceful,鈥� but he did not call for them to disperse. He held a rally earlier Wednesday in which he repeated his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud.
He urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, telling them to 鈥済et rid of the weak Congress people鈥� and saying, 鈥済et the weak ones get out; this is the time for strength.鈥�
UPDATE: 2:46 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� White House: National Guard, federal police en route to Capitol to assist in ending occupation by Trump supporters.
Virginia鈥檚 governor says he is sending 200 state troopers and members of the state National Guard to the US Capitol.
UPDATE: 2:42 p.m.
Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
鈥� Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence)
UPDATE: 2:35 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Homeland Security sending additional federal agents to US Capitol to help quell violence.
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m.
One person has been shot at the U.S. Capitol as dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building and violently clashed with police.
That鈥檚 according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity amid a chaotic situation.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear. The person said the victim had been taken to a hospital. Their condition was not known.
The shooting came as dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Biden鈥檚 presidential win. Trump has riled up his supporters by falsely claiming widespread voter fraud to explain his loss.
By AP writer Michael Balsamo
UPDATE: 2:16 p.m.
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order 鈥� respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
鈥� Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
UPDATE: 2:05 p.m.
ABC News is reporting shots have been fired inside the United States Capitol as protestors storm the building and chambers.
UPDATE: 1:48 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Members of Congress inside House chamber told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas dispersed in Capitol Rotunda.
UPDATE: 1:40 p.m.
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
鈥� Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
The mayor of Washington, D.C., has ordered a curfew in the nation鈥檚 capital beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday after protestors seeking to overturn the election results stormed the U.S. Capitol building.
Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the order as protestors supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to formally count the electors that will make Joe Biden president on Jan. 20.
The order extends through 6 a.m. Thursday.
The skirmishes came shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud.
UPDATE: 1:34 P.M.
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The U.S. Capitol locked down Wednesday with lawmakers inside as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump police.
An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden鈥檚 victory.
The skirmishes occurred outside the building, in the very spot president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol鈥檚 steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back.
ORIGINAL STORY
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The U.S. Capitol Police are evacuating some congressional office buildings due to 鈥減olice activity鈥� as thousands gather outside the Capitol to protest the electoral vote.
Police told congressional staff members they should evacuate the Cannon House Office Building and the building that houses the Library of Congress.
It wasn鈥檛 immediately clear what specifically sparked the evacuation.
A police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
Thousands of people have descended on the U.S. Capitol as Congress is expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden鈥檚 2020 presidential win. Videos posted online showed protesters fighting with U.S. Capitol Police officers as police fired pepper spray to keep them back.
