ANARCHY IN THE USA
One shot and many injured as Trump supporters storm US Capitol
A MOB stormed the heart of the US government yesterday, demanding politicians reverse Donald Trump’s election defeat.
In astonishing scenes, a woman protester was fighting for her life after she was shot inside the Capitol building while others, including officers, were injured in the chaos. An explosive device was also found.
Police fired pepper spray and tear gas and evacuated top politicians as protesters rampaged through the main legislative house in Washington DC.
Intruders marched through the halls of Congress, where lawmakers were meeting to certify President- elect Joe Biden’s victory.
Protestors who had broken in through a window fought with police inside the building.
Police told lawmakers in the House to take gas masks from beneath their seats and prepare to put them on.
Mr Biden last night said that democracy was “under an unprecedented assault”, adding: “The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. This is not dissent, this is disorder. This is not protest, this is insurrection.”
A police source said that at least one explosive device had been found in the grounds of the Capitol. The FBI were also deployed to assist with protecting public safety.
A number of officers were injured in the violence with at least one taken to hospital. Police and Secret Service officers escorted House of Representatives members from the chamber, including Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
They had been involved in a debate after a handful of Republicans aligned with Trump and challenged the Presidential election results.
Some officials were taken through secret tunnels under the building to safety. Officers at the front door of the House chamber had their guns drawn as an intruder attempted to enter the room.
Police ordered people in the chamber to drop to the floor for their safety as protesters were heard slamming on the door, while chants of “we want Trump” rang through the corridors.
Later, as thousands remained outside the centre of the US Government, the National Guard were deployed and a 6pm curfew declared across the city.
The chaotic scenes came after Trump addressed thousands of supporters
near the White House, repeating his claims that the election was stolen from him due to widespread fraud.
After slamming Vice President Pence for failing to overturn the election result, the President urged supporters to march on the Capitol.
He told his supporters it was time for the Republican Party to get rid of “weak Congress people” who refused to challenge the election results, while vowing to
“never give up” or “concede” the election.
Speaking shortly before the attacks, Mr Trump implored his supporters to march on the US Capitol, the location where Congress was meeting to certify the Electoral College votes. Authorities put the building in lockdown after hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the barricades surrounding its perimeter and were met with police who used pepper spray. Video footage showed supporters turning violent against officers who were assigned to protect the building.
In his speech to the crowd, Mr Trump had praised the Republican lawmakers seeking to challenge the election as “brave” and called party members who opposed the effort “weak and pathetic”.
After the trouble started, he called for peace. He tweeted: “I am asking for everyone at the US Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence. Remember, we are the party of law and order. Respect the law and our great men and women in blue.”
The Democrats are now poised to take control of the Senate after securing one of the key election run- off seats in Georgia while they are set to win another from the Republicans.