In a day that shocked the nation, Pro-Trump extremists, encouraged by the president, formed a mob Wednesday that breached security at the U.S. Capitol, halting Congress' Electoral College 2020 election certification proceedings.
Disturbing images and video footage show the insurrectionists as they barged into the Capitol, clashed with police and defiled the halls of the nation's legislative building.
Four people died in the riot, with one woman reportedly fatally shot by Capitol police. Dozens were arrested — mostly for violating a curfew put in place by the city. It took hours for authorities to declare that the building was secure.
Below are videos shared on social media from journalists on the scene or major news organizations, as well as photographs from The Associated Press and Getty Images. Together, they help piece together much of the mayhem that occurred.
The Trump Rally
At around 1 p.m., President Trump told thousands of his supporters outside the White House that Vice President Mike Pence should reject President-elect Joe Biden's win by sending election results back to states. He repeated false claims of his victory and instructed supporters to head to the U.S. Capitol.
During the roughly hourlong speech, Trump urges his followers to march to the Capitol and says at one point, "You will never take back our country with weakness." Trump says he will be there with them but never joins the crowd.
Supporters of President Trump march on Pennsylvania Avenue toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital Wednesday to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The Breach
Supporters of President Trump climb the West wall of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)A pro-Trump mob breaks into the U.S. Capitol. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. (Julio Cortez/AP)
Insurrection Inside The Capitol
People are seen in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber. (Andrew Harnik/AP)A U.S. Capitol police officer wears a gas mask as supporters of President Trump enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)(Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)(Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)Supporters of President Donald Trump gather outside the Capitol's Rotunda. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)Security barricades the door of the House chamber as protesters try to break in to the joint session of Congress certifying the Electoral College vote on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)People run in the halls as protesters try to break into the House Chamber. (Andrew Harnik/AP)People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber. (Andrew Harnik/AP)
Rioters Stay At The Capitol For Hours
As the chaos evolved at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew that began at 6 p.m. Wednesday and lasted until 6 a.m. Thursday. The majority of the people arrested Wednesday were charged with violating the curfew order.
Members of the National Guard assist police officers in dispersing protesters gathered at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)A protester takes a photo with police officers in riot gear dispersing protesters gathering at the U.S. Capitol Building. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)With the U.S. Capitol in the background, lights from police vehicles illuminate Pennsylvania Avenue. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Electoral College Certification Goes Ahead Regardless
Reactions To The Violence
In the United States, and around the world, people reacted to the unrest at the nation's capital. Political leaders widely condemned the break into the Capitol building.
This article was originally published on January 06, 2021.
