- Pro-Trump protesters in the U.S. Capitol have stormed the House chambers, after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence refused to bow to mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to overturn the election result
- At a rally early on Wednesday morning, local time, Trump once again called on Pence to send back votes to states for “recertification”, a power the Vice President does not have under U.S. law
- Pence was due to appear today to present the final votes state-by-state to the members of the Senate and Congress
- Once it became apparent that Pence would not question the certification process, protesters began clashing with police, with some making it into the House
- Protesters maintain that the election result is fraudulent, a belief that has been widely spread by Trump, despite a lack of evidence and numerous failed court cases
Pro-Trump protesters in the U.S. Capitol have stormed the House chambers, after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence refused to bow to mounting pressure from President Donald Trump to overturn the election result.
At a rally early on Wednesday morning, local time, Trump once again called on Pence to send back votes to states for “recertification”, a power the Vice President does not have under U.S. law.
“All Vice-President Pence has to do is send it back to the states to recertify and we become president and you are the happiest people,” Trump said in an impassioned speech to supporters outside Capitol Hill.
Pence was due to appear today to present the final votes state-by-state to the members of the Senate and Congress.
Despite the President’s wishes, Pence tipped in a lengthy letter on Twitter that he intends to allow the certification process to go unhindered.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021
Not long after the process commenced, pro-Trump protesters began clashing with police, with some breaching through into the Senate, getting as far as the rotunda, in an attempt to stop the certification of votes.
Protesters maintain that the election result is fraudulent, a belief that has been widely spread by Trump, despite a lack of evidence and numerous failed court cases.
Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 6, 2021
This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today. pic.twitter.com/jC9P0YfSLQ
Immediately following the breach, the certification process was halted and Pence, along with other key lawmakers, were evacuated. Back outside, police began shooting tear gas into the crowd, and Washington DC’s Mayor implemented a city-wide curfew.
Meanwhile, Trump is continuing to maintain that Pence has failed to “protect” U.S. interests.
Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
According to newswire Reuters, an armed standoff is currently underway within the House chambers, though the situation is still developing.