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In Pictures: Pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol building

Supporters of US President Donald Trump swarm Capitol building as Congress met to confirm Joe Biden’s election victory.

US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
6 Jan 2021
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Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power, forcing lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupting challenges to Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.

Trump issued a restrained call for peace well after the melee was underway but did not urge supporters to disperse. Earlier he had encouraged them to march to Capitol Hill.

Wednesday’s ordinarily mundane procedure of Congress certifying a new president was always going to be extraordinary, with Republican supporters of Trump vowing to protest results of an election that they have baselessly insisted was reversed by fraud. But even the unusual deliberations, which included the Republican vice president and Senate majority leader defying Trump’s demands, were quickly overtaken.

In a raucous, out-of-control scene, protesters fought past police and breached the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags as they marched through the halls.

One person was reported shot at the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the situation. That person’s condition was unknown.

Earlier on Wednesday, crowds gathered at the so-called “Save America March” wore Trump-approved red baseball caps and cheered as the outgoing Republican president repeated the groundless conspiracy theories that have consumed his final days in office.

“You don’t concede when there’s theft involved,” Trump said. “Our country has had enough and we will not take it any more.”

He aired his familiar grievances with the news media and Hillary Clinton, his former Democratic rival from the 2016 election, and delighted the crowd by calling Democratic victories the product of what he called “explosions of bulls***.”

“Bulls***! Bulls***! Bulls***!” the crowd chanted in response.

Weeks have passed since the states completed certifying that Biden, a Democrat, won the election by 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232, and Trump’s extraordinary challenges to Biden’s victory have floundered in courts across the country.

Congress was due to confirm Biden’s victory on Wednesday. Many of Trump’s fellow Republicans have promised a stonewalling effort that was almost certain to fail.

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the Capital Building in Washington. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the Capital Building in Washington. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
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Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the Capital Building in Washington. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the Capital Building in Washington. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in front of the US Capitol Building in Washington. [Stephanie Keith/Reuters]
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in front of the US Capitol Building in Washington. [Stephanie Keith/Reuters]
US Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
US Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. [Joseph Prezioso / AFP]
Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. [Joseph Prezioso / AFP]
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington. [SAUL LOEB / AFP] (AFP)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington. [SAUL LOEB / AFP] (AFP)
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A militia-like group makes their way to a rally for US President Donald Trump. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
A militia-like group makes their way to a rally for US President Donald Trump. [Joseph Prezioso/AFP]
US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. [Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP]
Supporters of US President Donald Trump stand by the door to the Senate chambers after they breached the US Capitol security in Washington [EFE/JIM LO SCALZO]
Supporters of US President Donald Trump stand by the door to the Senate chambers after they breached the US Capitol security in Washington [EFE/JIM LO SCALZO]
Members of the far-right group Proud Boys make 'OK' hand gestures indicating "white power" as supporters of US President Donald Trump gather in front of the US Capitol Building to protest against the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the US Congress. [Jim Urquhart/Reuters]
Members of the far-right group Proud Boys make 'OK' hand gestures indicating "white power" as supporters of US President Donald Trump gather in front of the US Capitol Building to protest against the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the US Congress. [Jim Urquhart/Reuters]
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the US Congress. [Jim Bourg/Reuters]
US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the US Congress. [Jim Bourg/Reuters]
A protester is shown injured during a confrontation with police during a rally. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
A protester is shown injured during a confrontation with police during a rally. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
A man is seen bleeding outside the US Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters entered the US Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital during a joint session Congress to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. [Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP]
A man is seen bleeding outside the US Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters entered the US Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital during a joint session Congress to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. [Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP]
People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump. [Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo]
People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump. [Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo]
Leigh Ann Luck dressed up as Statue of Liberty poses for a picture as supporters of US President Donald Trump gather in Washington. [Leah Millis/Reuters]
Leigh Ann Luck dressed up as Statue of Liberty poses for a picture as supporters of US President Donald Trump gather in Washington. [Leah Millis/Reuters]
US President Donald Trump makes a fist during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington. [Jim Bourg/Reuters]
US President Donald Trump makes a fist during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington. [Jim Bourg/Reuters]
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. [Julio Cortez/AP Photo]
Trump protesters occupy the grounds of the West Front of the US Capitol, including the inaugural stage and viewing stands, in Washington. [MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA]
Trump protesters occupy the grounds of the West Front of the US Capitol, including the inaugural stage and viewing stands, in Washington. [MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA]
People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Wednesday. [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]
People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Wednesday. [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]

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