Mob storms the US Capitol as Congress meets to certify election
Supporters of President Trump breached the Capitol in Washington, forcing lawmakers to flee and delaying the confirmation of Joe Biden's victory.
A violent mob of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, breaching one of the most secure buildings in the country and forcing a halt to the congressional session convened to formally certify Joe Biden's election victory.
The rioters overran police lines, smashed windows and surged through the halls of Congress, sending lawmakers and Vice-President Mike Pence into hiding as the building was locked down. Images of intruders ransacking offices and occupying the Senate chamber stunned the nation and the world. Five people died in connection with the events, including a woman shot by police and a Capitol officer who died the next day.
The assault followed a rally near the White House at which Trump, repeating false claims that the election had been stolen, urged his supporters to march on the Capitol. It took hours for the National Guard and reinforcements to clear the building.
Shaken lawmakers returned that night, and in the early hours of the following morning Congress completed the certification of Biden's win. Leaders of both parties condemned the violence as an attack on democracy itself.
The events triggered a second impeachment of Trump, extensive criminal investigations and a lasting debate over political extremism in the United States. For many, the sight of the Capitol breached was a shock that would define the moment of transition between presidencies.