Update: Congress Has Certified Biden’s Election Victory
Demonstrators have swarmed the U.S. Capitol, Congress was forced to abruptly halt deliberations Wednesday over Republican challenges to Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
Shortly after 1 p.m. ET hundreds of pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter of the Capitol, where they tussled with officers in full riot gear, some calling the officers “traitors” for doing their jobs.
Former President George W Bush has issued a statement on the “scenes of mayhem” unfolding in the US Capitol.
“It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight,” the Republican wrote.
“This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic.”
Bush continued, saying that he was “appalled by the reckless behaviour of some political leaders” since the presidential election, but stopped short of calling out President Trump or his supporters by name.
BREAKING: Statement from former Pres. George W. Bush: “This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic—not our democratic republic.” https://t.co/als6oDM6AZ pic.twitter.com/yzYT9bSDGJ
— ABC News (@ABC) January 6, 2021
At least 13 individuals have been arrested during the riots on Capitol Hill.
Washington DC Metropolitan Police said five guns, including handguns and long guns, have also been seized.
Police Chief Robert Contee told reporters all of the arrests involved people who do not live in the DC area.
He also said some officers are being treated for injuries.
The capitol has been breached and there’s a fucking armed standoff at the House door.
they broke into the building through the windows
This is a bit too late https://t.co/okBPGWwykA
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 6, 2021
Protestors have entered the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/dzaDGn5MoC
— Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) January 6, 2021
They’re in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling “Trump won that election!” This is insane pic.twitter.com/p6CXhBDSFT
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
WATCH: @krisvancleave reports as U.S. Capitol Police and pro-Trump protesters clash, while some office buildings in the Capitol Complex are evacuated https://t.co/wTKxzqAo9U pic.twitter.com/BObYpoYufy
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 6, 2021
When this happened on 9/11 it was because terrorists turned planes into missiles & were thought to possibly be targeting the capitol. Today, the threat is a direct result of Trump’s lies about the election, the GOP’s complicity in spreading the lies & the anger Trump incited. https://t.co/Y8KqXxg980
— Nicolle Wallace (@NicolleDWallace) January 6, 2021
The police allowed white militias to breach the Capitol because the police ARE a white militia. https://t.co/iwd4wf1j2b
— zellie (@zellieimani) January 6, 2021
