One person is now dead, victim of a gunshot wound by Capitol Police, who shot her inside the U.S. Capitol.
A “mostly peaceful protest” interrupted the certification of the Electoral College today in the nation’s capital. Crowds that were estimated to be over 1 million converged in Washington, D.C. to try to stop what many feel is a fraudulent election.
It went downhill at in early afternoon, about the time the House and Senate convened in a joint session for what is usually a perfunctory duty of finalizing the presidential election via a vote of Congress.
With so many people in the Capitol — possibly over one million — it became unruly at the front of the protest near the entries, where perhaps far-right protesters and possible infiltrators stormed the building, sending those inside into a panic, as senators and congress members scattered for safety. One woman protester was shot in the neck, evidently by Capitol Police, as she was trying to get into the legislative chambers. She was taken away on a stretcher and later died of her wound.
Alaska’s delegation issued statements condemning the lawlessness.
Congressman Don Young wrote, “My staff and I are currently safe and accounted for. Peaceful protest is fundamentally American, but violence must never be tolerated. I call on protestors to comply with Capitol Police, stand down, and leave the Capitol Building so that our Constitutional duties may resume.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan wrote: I am disgusted by the lawless acts of violence being perpetrated at the Capitol. Disgraceful. A sad day in American history. The world is watching. We are the United States of America. We must be better than this. We ARE better than this.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote: “The dangerous destructive activity at the Capitol is continuing to unfold. I, along with other members of the Senate, are secure but the situation is clearly not safe. It is truly mob rule at the moment. My prayers are with the officers that are protecting and defending and who have gone down. Mr. President, tell your supporters to stop the violence. Stop the assault. Now.”
There wasn’t that much violence. But there was breaking, entering, and some shoving. It was frightening for those inside the building, but Twitter video images showed Capitol Police outside standing aside and allowing the protesters to gain footing.
As night falls on the nation’s capital, the streets may become a lawless zone, although a curfew has been called for 6 pm. The Senate and House are expected to convene to continue executing their constitutional duty of certifying the election.
President Trump wrote: “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
That wasn’t good enough for Joe Biden.
Biden wrote, “I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding an end to this siege.”
MSNBC posted graphic photos of the woman who was shot, with blood draining from her mouth. The caption under it by a Twitter account that shared it: “The party of law and order.”
Politico reported that lobbyists in DC are calling for Vice President Michael Pence and Congress to invoke the 25th Amendment and have Trump removed from office because he is incapacitated.
The rioters also attacked mainstream media members who were covering the event. They scaled the walls of the Capitol Building. An Associated Press film crew had to abandon its equipment and leave the area.
It was an embarrassing failure of security in a district known for intense security. Tear gas was deployed, guns were drawn by police, and arrests were made. And yet ultimately the police were overwhelmed.
Hours after the siege began, the National Guard was called in and Black Hawk helicopters pointed their noses toward the nation’s capital, while lawmakers inside promised to get back to work and certify the election.
This is a developing story.
