The U.S. Capitol building is locked down and the electoral vote certification halted amid clashes between police and protestors who stormed in the Capitol in protest of the presidential election results.
Video showed intense clashes between Trump supporters and police inside in the Capitol as they tried to make their way to the chambers of Congress.
Additional video shows a mostly emptied House of Representatives chamber after lawmakers were moved and told to retrieve gas masks amid tear gas fired at protesters. Police appear to be pointing their firearms at the chamber doors.
MSNBC reporter Jack Sherman tweeted, “Yes. Capitol is now in complete chaos. Pence has been pulled from the senate chamber.
The New York Times reported senators were also sheltering in their chambers amid the chaos.
Another video shows smoke pouring out of the House chamber.
Capitol Police sent an alert to The Hill confirming the Capitol building has been locked down and police have ordered evacuations at two more Congressional buildings, the Library of Congress’s Madison Building and the Cannon House office building.
People at the Madison building were told to move in a safe manner to the exists” and “close doors behind you but do not lock.” People at the Cannon House building to “take visitors, escape hoods, and Go Kits” and were told to report to a nearby tunnel.
Freshman Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted, “Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today.”
