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U.S. Capitol locked down as "March for Trump" protesters breach building

Jan. 06, 2021 07:29PM EST
 Dan Ackermann

Capitol police ordered lawmakers and reporters to shelter in place within the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, as protesters at a "March for Trump" breached the building following Congress beginning to certify Electoral College votes for Joe Biden.

Where it stands: The House and Senate are in recess and all the doors are now closed in the House Chambers, per Axios reporters on the ground. Vice President Mike Pence, overseeing the certification of Electoral College votes, left the Senate chamber shortly after 2 p.m.

What we're hearing: A police officer stood in the center of the Cannon office building and shouted: “EVERYONE OUT, RIGHT NOW ... WE’RE EVACUATING," Axios' Alayna Treene reports. Police ushered everyone toward the Longworth office building.

Protesters have breached the Capitol. They’re outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/I021tKliUD

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021

What to watch: Press gallery staff informed reporters that if protestors storm the Capitol building itself, they would usher everyone into the Senate chamber and lock the door.

  • D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated the National Guard in response to the planned mass demonstrations by Trump supporters.

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