WASHINGTON DC (CU)_Four people are reportedly dead, after supporters of US President Donald Trump engulfed the US Capitol in chaos, after the President urged his supporters to fight against the ceremonial counting of the electoral votes, which would confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s win.
Wednesday afternoon (Jan 6), hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers of the Capitol in full riot gear, and less than 2 hours later, the doors of the house and Senate had to be locked as the demonstrators got into the building. Shortly after, Vice President Mike Pence who was to perform his role in the counting of the electoral votes, was also evacuated from the chamber.
Subsequently, at around 3 p.m. local time, an armed standoff took place at the House front, and police officers had their guns drawn at anyone who was trying to breach it. DC Police later reported that a woman, who is yet to be identified, died after being shot in the chest on Capitol grounds. The Department’s chief Robert Contee said three other people died from medical emergencies during the protests.
“One adult female and two adult males appear to have suffered from separate medical emergencies, which resulted in their deaths. Any loss of life in the District is tragic and our thoughts are with anyone impacted by their loss,” Contee said at a news conference Wednesday night.
The protesters first pushed against the metal fences and breached exterior security barriers, while some police officers used the fences to push the protesters back, the others reached over the top to prevent people from trying to cross their lines. Tear gas was deployed, and in some instances, officers also deployed pepper spray.
It was reported that the entire DC National Guard has been activated under the direction of President Trump, and had been mobilised to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District.
Meanwhile, federal and local law enforcement also responded to reports of possible pipe bombs in multiple locations in Washington, DC. An official of the Republican National Committee said at least two such suspected pipe bombs, including one in the US Capitol complex and another in the building housing RNC offices, were rendered safe, while another bomb found at the RNC’s headquarters was safely detonated by the police.
Later in the day, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday until 6 a.m. ET Thursday.
Subsequently, after the building was secured, the lawmakers who were evacuated from the Capitol complex returned, and they resumed their intended business of confirming Biden’s win over Trump by counting the votes in the Electoral College.
Earlier on Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, that congressional leadership intended to continue with a joint session Wednesday night. “[…] in consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use. Leader Hoyer will be sending out more guidance later today,” she wrote.
Pelosi referred the violent protests as a shameful assault made on the countries, democracy, adding that it cannot deter the lawmakers from their responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden.
Hours after the riots began, President Trump finally asked his supporters to “go home”, but also justified and praised the mob’s actions. “We love you. You are very special,” he told the rioters. “I know your pain, I know you’re hurt.”
Later in the evening he tweeted that the events which unveiled is what happens “when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long.”
However, the others inside the President’s orbit, including his son Donald Trump Jr., said the demonstrators who mobbed the Capitol were “wrong and not who we are”, and called on them to disperse.
“Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesn’t help anyone,” he tweeted.
