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A rioter holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol near the Senate chamber on Wednesday, January 6.
A rioter holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol near the Senate chamber on Wednesday, January 6.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Politics

In pictures: Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol on historic day in Congress

Updated 9:46 PM EST, Thu January 7, 2021
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In a stunning display of insurrection, supporters of President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol while Congress was meeting to certify the Electoral College's votes for president and vice president.

The Capitol was put on lockdown and the certification vote was paused after the rioters stormed the building on January 6. It took several hours for the Capitol to be secured. Vice President Mike Pence was moved to a safe location, as was congressional leadership.

This was the first time the US Capitol had been breached since the British attacked and burned the building in August of 1814, during the War of 1812, according to Samuel Holliday, director of scholarship and operations with the US Capitol Historical Society. Congress returned to the Capitol in the evening to resume the certification process.

Congress' counting of electoral votes is typically little more than an afterthought. But this year's joint session was expected to be a contentious affair. Some Republicans objected to the count, delaying the inevitable certification of President-elect Joe Biden's win.

Their push was destined to fail. Democrats and a significant number of Republicans voted down all of the objections, and Biden's victory was certified. Before the Capitol was breached, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a forceful rebuke of Trump's baseless claims of widespread election fraud, warning his fellow Republicans that failing to certify the election results could "damage our republic forever."

Members of the DC National Guard stand outside the Capitol after the riots.
Members of the DC National Guard stand outside the Capitol after the riots.
John Minchillo/AP
Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House chamber after the Capitol was breached.
Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House chamber after the Capitol was breached.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
A rioter hangs from a balcony in the Senate chamber.
A rioter hangs from a balcony in the Senate chamber.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Trump supporters cover their faces after tear gas was fired in front of the Capitol.
Trump supporters cover their faces after tear gas was fired in front of the Capitol.
Leah Millis/Reuters
A Trump supporter <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-confederate-flag-fort-stevens/index.html" target="_blank">carries a Confederate battle flag</a> in the Capitol Rotunda. During the Civil War, the closest any insurgent carrying a Confederate flag ever came to the Capitol was about 6 miles, during the Battle of Fort Stevens in 1864.
A Trump supporter carries a Confederate battle flag in the Capitol Rotunda. During the Civil War, the closest any insurgent carrying a Confederate flag ever came to the Capitol was about 6 miles, during the Battle of Fort Stevens in 1864.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
US Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, comforts US Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, while taking cover in the House chamber.
US Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, comforts US Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, while taking cover in the House chamber.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Richard "Bigo" Barnett, the leader of a pro-gun rights group in Gravette, Arkansas, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/insurrection-capitol-extremist-groups-invs/index.html" target="_blank">sits inside the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.</a> Barnett later showed reporters an envelope that he said he took from Pelosi's desk.
Richard "Bigo" Barnett, the leader of a pro-gun rights group in Gravette, Arkansas, sits inside the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Barnett later showed reporters an envelope that he said he took from Pelosi's desk.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Papers and other materials litter the House chamber after it was evacuated.
Papers and other materials litter the House chamber after it was evacuated.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Congressional staffers evacuate the Capitol.
Congressional staffers evacuate the Capitol.
Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post/Getty Images
Congressional staffers put up a barricade inside the Capitol after rioters breached the building.
Congressional staffers put up a barricade inside the Capitol after rioters breached the building.
Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post/Getty Images
One of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/insurrection-capitol-extremist-groups-invs/index.html" target="_blank">the most recognizable figures in the crowd</a> was a man in his 30s with a painted face, fur hat and a helmet with horns. The protester, Jake Angeli — known by followers as the QAnon Shaman — quickly became a symbol of the bizarre and frightening spectacle. In recent months, Angeli has been a regular presence at pro-Trump protests in Arizona, including demonstrations outside the Maricopa County vote-counting center.
One of the most recognizable figures in the crowd was a man in his 30s with a painted face, fur hat and a helmet with horns. The protester, Jake Angeli — known by followers as the QAnon Shaman — quickly became a symbol of the bizarre and frightening spectacle. In recent months, Angeli has been a regular presence at pro-Trump protests in Arizona, including demonstrations outside the Maricopa County vote-counting center.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Tear gas is deployed as rioters gather outside the Capitol.
Tear gas is deployed as rioters gather outside the Capitol.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Capitol Police detain rioters outside of the House chamber.
Capitol Police detain rioters outside of the House chamber.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Trump supporters storm the Capitol during clashes with police.
Trump supporters storm the Capitol during clashes with police.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Members of Congress run for cover as rioters try to enter the House chamber.
Members of Congress run for cover as rioters try to enter the House chamber.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Congressional staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police SWAT teams secure the US Capitol.
Congressional staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police SWAT teams secure the US Capitol.
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images
Rioters walk through the Capitol after breaching barricades to the building.
Rioters walk through the Capitol after breaching barricades to the building.
Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier outside the Capitol.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier outside the Capitol.
John Minchillo/AP
A rioter sits in the Senate chamber.
A rioter sits in the Senate chamber.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
A crowd of Trump supporters can be seen from inside the Capitol.
A crowd of Trump supporters can be seen from inside the Capitol.
Cheriss May/Getty Images
A Capitol Police officer sprays a person who was trying to enter the Capitol.
A Capitol Police officer sprays a person who was trying to enter the Capitol.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg/Getty Images
US Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard and Annie Kuster take cover while rioters were in the Capitol.
US Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard and Annie Kuster take cover while rioters were in the Capitol.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images