Pro-Trump demonstrators storm US congress to protest president’s election loss

Protestors stormed the building to attempt to stop the certification allowing Joe Biden to become the 46th President of the United States.

Mike Pence and other Congressmen and women have been evacuated from the Congress building to an undisclosed location.

Other members remain locked within their office due to fears over their safety.

Mike Pence was due to oversee the certification and has faced criticism from Donald Trump for not challenging it.

It is unclear when Congress will be able return to certify the results of the November election.

This process is Constitutionally mandated to occur.

Protestors breached the insides of the building.

There was an armed standoff between protestors and law enforcement outside the House of Representatives.

Rioters managed to gain entrance to the Senate room however were escorted left.

Those still within the Congress building have been told to reach for their gas masks as tear gas was prepared to be used in order to regain control of the situation.

The Washington DC Mayor has instituted a curfew ordering residents to stay at home from 6pm onwards.  

The law enforcement surrounding the Capitol building was overwhelmed by rioters and urged for additional support.

The DC National Guard has been deployed, along with additional law enforcement from Maryland and Virginia.

Trump has commented on Twitter saying to support law enforcement and that protestors to stay peaceful.

He later released a video repeating unfounded claims about the election being fraudulent, however called for rioters to leave and go home.

Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi put out a joint statement with her and Minority Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer calling on President Trump to “demand that all protestors leave the US Capitol and Capitol Grounds”.

Republican Vice President Mike Pence put out a tweet saying that “the violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol must stop”.

He later adds that “peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated.”

President Elect Joe Biden held a conference saying that “our democracy is under unprecedented assault” and that these acts border on sedition.

He calls on President Trump to go onto national television and call an end to the riots at Capitol Hill.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Disgraceful scenes in U.S Congress.

“The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”

A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the Capitol building.

The circumstances of which she has been shot is unclear. Multiple officers have been wounded, and at least one has been transported to hospital.

Just before Capitol building was breached Trump met with Protestors and vowed that he would never concede the Presidency to Joe Biden, saying that “we will never give up”.

Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer, called for a “trial by combat” to settle election.

This happening as the Senate run off races in Georgia conclude.

Early commentators have called one of the races for Democratic Candidate Raphael Warnock to be elected over Republican incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffer.

More to follow.

By Kieran Burt

Featured image: Platform.

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