Protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon in a major security breach as lawmakers were just starting the process of certifying the electoral win …
Protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon in a major security breach as lawmakers were just starting the process of certifying the electoral win for President-elect Joe Biden. The intrusion into both the House and Senate forced lawmakers to evacuate to secure locations. There was a least one shooting victim who was transported from the U.S. Capitol shortly before 3 p.m., Fox News has learned. “This is a coup attempt,” tweeted Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. One protester made it inside the Senate chamber and sat in the chair where Vice President Mike Pence was presiding, declaring Trump won the election, according to a pool producer. Several dozen were roaming through the halls on the Senate side, yelling, “Where are they?” The chaos and violence erupted at the Capitol as Republicans mounted their first challenge to Biden’s victory within minutes of the counting of the Electoral College votes during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. The formal objection set off a debate in both chambers and showed divisions between the GOP. But the debate was cut short when supporters of President Trump breached the Capitol and forced a recess of both the House and the Senate due to a “security threat.” Capitol Police advised members to move inside the nearest office and seek cover. Lawmakers were told to get escape hoods under their chairs and move to the Rotunda. A Capitol security official announced over a speaker in the Senate: “Lock all doors if able. If unable, seek shelter or concealment. Remain calm and await further directions. I repeat… security threats, security threats, security threats inside the US Capitol.” One lawmaker told Fox News the protesters breached the House chamber and there were reports of shots were fired at some point, but details were unclear. Images show protesters breaking windows outside the chamber and security officials pointing guns at them to try to stop them from entering. Another lawmaker, Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla., said lawmakers were evacuated. “Security was breached and we’ve evacuated the chamber to a safe location,” Franklin said. Pence had to be escorted out of the Senate chamber.
