Violence from Trump supporters growing worse, multiple police injuries, Capitol invaded

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Shortly after the joint session began to count the electoral votes, and as Donald Trump wrapped up his rally at the other end of the National Mall, Trump supporters turned on the Capitol and began knocking down one security fence after another. Capital police met them at the steps and initially forced the group behind a temporary barrier. But as more Trump supporters have arrived, the situation has become increasingly chaotic.

At least two buildings have been evacuated, there have been multiple reports of possible bombs or suspicious packages, and Trump supporters—many of them wearing military garb—have pushed past police to occupy scaffolding and move around barriers. Despite Trump’s promises to invite the worst of his white supremacist followers to Washington for a “wild” time, police seem to be completely unprepared for this level of violence. Most are not wearing riot gear, and there has been only limited and sporadic deployment of pepper spray and tear gas. In some instances Trump supporters have been pepper spraying the police, but they don’t seem to be getting arrested. Now police are injured and protesters have breached the Capitol. They are outside the Senate chambers, pounding on the doors. Debate on the electoral votes has been halted as senators are evacuated to the sound of a roaring crowd and breaking glass.


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:37:56 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

BREAKING: revolution in process as Trump supporters break into the Capitol building, attacking police, breaking windows, and knocking down doors Full anarchy at this “mostly peaceful” demonstration DC The people have pushed through & are storming to main chambers pic.twitter.com/NW6VDDNBQw

— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:38:50 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

HOLY: TEAR gas has been used in the Rotunda. Members are being told get gas masks under their seats.

— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 6, 2021


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:40:58 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

MSNBC reports the Senate is being evacuated.

CNN reports that Pence has been escorted out of the building.

Trump gets what he wants — the electoral vote was not totaled. 


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:43:17 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

These are the same Capitol Police who spent the summer wearing full riot gear and using tear gas, flash bangs, and rubber bullets against genuinely peaceful protestors blocks away from the Capitol. Now they’re not even arresting Trump supporters who have forced their way past every security line, invaded the Capitol, and even injured police.


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:44:57 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

Trump tweeting at his supporters to “stay peaceful,” which they are not. He has not called on them to leave the Capitol.


Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021 · 7:47:31 PM +00:00

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Mark Sumner

.@MEPFuller reporting that shots have been fired in the House chamber. https://t.co/iMDTg6b1DK

— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) January 6, 2021

They’re trying to break down the doors. Literally. https://t.co/UVGMHXsidv

— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) January 6, 2021

Police officers are holding them steps away from the Senate chamber, which is locked. Senators are inside. I see a few confederate flags. pic.twitter.com/YI7X7KmuUG

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021

Photo from @washingtonian of protestors scaling the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/lWNSLgVbkG

— Robert J. DeNault (@robertjdenault) January 6, 2021

The party of law and order is fighting with police in an attempt to break into the Capitol and harm lawmakers. pic.twitter.com/4Vbi44DErN

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) January 6, 2021

Now multiple officers injured. pic.twitter.com/yRDc9AEHNg

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 6, 2021

Violence from Trump supporters growing worse, multiple police injuries, Capitol invaded 1