A mob whipped up by the President stormed police lines, smashed windows and broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to block lawmakers from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory. The violent scene, which called to mind images of coups in foreign lands, was a culmination of two months of “Stop the Steal” rallies, fueled by Donald Trump’s baseless allegations that widespread voter fraud had cost him the election. The President has repeatedly incited his supporters to challenge the peaceful transfer of power, the essential marker of democracy.
Two hours before the assault on the Capitol, Trump had vowed that he would “never concede,” and urged them to pressure Republican lawmakers “to take back our country.” When he finished, a crowd chanting, “Storm the Capitol!” proceeded to the iconic building, overwhelmed police and flooded inside. Inside the House Chamber, police officers shoved furniture to barricade the doors as Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers scrambled to evacuate. In the Senate, intruders dressed in everything from full body armor to a horned Viking cap posed for photos at the rostrum, fists raised. A red MAGA hat was planted on the head of a bronze statue of former President Gerald Ford in the Rotunda and a Trump flag placed in his hand. Shots were heard and a woman reported killed. As it all unfolded, control of the upper chamber moved from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party as, 600 miles to the south, civil servants and citizen volunteers continued to faithfully tally ballots. —Vera Bergengruen, with reporting by Leslie Dickstein and Julia Zorthian
Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesU.S. Capitol Police detain pro-Trump rioters outside of the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesCapitol police officers point their guns at a barricaded door as pro-Trump rioters attempt to break into the House Chamber.Joseph Prezioso—AFP/Getty ImagesTrump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the Capitol Building.Kevin Dietsch—Pool/ReutersA Capitol police officer confronts a Trump supporter scrambling into the Capitol through a smashed window.Stephanie Keith—ReutersRioters climb the walls of the U.S. Capitol after President Trump encouraged a rally audience to pressure Republican lawmakers.Andrew Harnik—APLawmakers and staff shelter as protesters besiege the House Chamber.Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesMembers of Congress run for cover as pro-Trump rioters try to enter the House Chamber.Joel Marklund—ReutersCapitol police officers take position as a pro-Trump mob attempts to enter the Capitol Building.Andrew Harnik—APPeople shelter in the House gallery as pro-Trump rioters try to break into the House Chamber.Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty ImagesA note left in the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the Capitol.Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesPeople put on gas masks while sheltering in the House Chamber.Olivier Douliery—AFP/Getty ImagesSupporters of President Trump gather outside the Capitol.Andrew Harnik—APPapers and other materials litter the House Chamber after it was evacuated.Tasos Katopodis—Getty ImagesMembers of the National Guard assist police officers in dispersing the mob of Trump supporters who were gathering at the Capitol.John Minchillo—APA flag hangs between broken windows after Trump supporters tried to brake through police barriers outside the Capitol.
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