Amidst the certification process of Biden and Harris in the US Capitol, Trump supporters barged in the building where the meeting was being held, inciting a wave of shock and fear amongst the Senators, toppling the pressure on the police to control the dozens of people igniting violence in the largely peaceful meet of Wednesday afternoon.
Waving Trump flags and wearing shirts displaying the phrase “Make America Great Again”, often used by Trump in his speeches and tweets, pro-Trump protestors violently stormed into the Capitol while the meeting had to be paused.
Members of both House and Senate hurriedly dispersed to safer spots within the building as others were evacuated through different exits.
Breaking glasses, benches and screaming Trump’s name, rioters followed the directions of the President that he reiterated on several occasions. Calling for a “big protest” on January 6th, he was blamed by several lawmakers of delivering incendiary statements and provoking his supporters to take this violent move.
“Big protest in DC on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” Trump had said earlier.
In his speech of Wednesday morning, his fomenting words were latched onto the minds of thousands of supporters who gathered on Ellipse outside the White House. “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country any more,” Trump said.
He not only encouraged them to reach the Capitol and show their denial to accept the certification of Biden and Harris but also ensured that he will join them. However, he came back to the White House after protestors entered the Capitol.
The fuss and sheer violence resulted in the death of one woman who was shot by the police with 3 more deaths due to medical emergencies. Police arrested 52 people in the matter.
Protestors forced themselves in mobs of hundreds inside the building, smashing doors and windows and destroying offices situated within Capitol.
According to Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee, 2 pipe bombs were found from the Republican and Democratic Party offices.
Shocked by the vandalization, Congress members and the staff resorted to hiding in closets and under chairs and desks of offices to stay away from the insane crowd.
To control the mob, tear gas was released inside the Statuary Hall, which is an old historic chamber of the House.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called for a curfew from 6 pm that was later extended for 15 days. Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller, with the consultation of Vice President Mike Pence and congressional leaders, brought the National Guard into the field.
While Republicans sharply criticized the incident, Democrats blasted Trump for creating it.
“Today was ugly,” said Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican. “This building has been desecrated. Blood has been spilled in the hallways.”
“This mob was inspired by a president who cannot accept defeat,” Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat, said in the Senate floor remarks.
Taking to Twitter, former President Barack Obama said, the Capitol was “incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election”.
Former presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter too reprimanded the events at the Capitol while Senator Mitt Romney termed it an “insurrection”.
Trump witnessed his staunchest political supporters too leaving his side as he crossed all lines to ensure he gets back to power.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was one of the politicians supporting Trump earlier who pronounced the victory of Biden and the end of Trump’s tenure.
“Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey,” said Graham. “Count me out, enough is enough, I’ve tried to be helpful.”
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are lawfully elected and will become the president and vice president on January the 20th.”