'It's insurrection,' Biden says, as Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol

[webfact]

'It's insurrection,' Biden says, as Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol

By Patricia Zengerle and Jonathan Landay

 

Supporters of President Donald Trump set off a fire extinguisher after breaching security defenses, as police move in on the demonstrate on the second floor of the U.S. Capitol near the entrance to the Senate, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Theiler

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With drawn guns and teargas, police sought to clear the U.S. Capitol building of hundreds of protesters who stormed the building and sought to force Congress to undo President Donald Trump's election loss on Wednesday as lawmakers convened to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

 

Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate were evacuated after pro-Trump protesters surged through the halls of Congress, forcing both chambers to suspend deliberations.

 

One protester occupied the Senate dais and yelled, "Trump won that election." Protesters overturned barricades and clashed with police as thousands descended on the Capitol grounds.

 

Biden, a Democrat who defeated the Republican president in the Nov. 3 election and is due to take office on Jan. 20, said the activity of the protesters "borders on sedition."

 

This is the moment 'Stop the Steal' protesters in support of President Donald Trump breached security on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as Congress was in session, where top lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence were present.

 

The former vice president said that for demonstrators to storm the Capitol, smash windows, occupy offices, invade the halls of Congress and threaten the safety of duly elected officials: "It's not a protest, it's insurrection."

 

"I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward," Biden added, urging Trump to go on national television to demand "an end to this siege."

 

In a video posted to Twitter, Trump repeated his false claims about election fraud but urged the protesters to leave.

 

"You have to go home now, we have to have peace," he said.

 

Video showed protesters breaking windows and police deploying teargas inside the building. Local media reported that one person had been shot and video showed a person being wheeled from the building on a stretcher.

 

Vice President Mike Pence, who had presided over the joint session of Congress, had already been escorted from the Senate.

 

The chaotic scenes unfolded after Trump, who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost, addressed thousands of protesters, repeating unfounded claims that the contest was stolen from him due to widespread election fraud and irregularities. Lawmakers had been debating a last-ditch effort by pro-Trump lawmakers to challenge the results, an effort that was unlikely to succeed.

 

Critics had called the effort by the Republican lawmakers an attack on American democracy and the rule of law and an attempted legislative coup.

 

The top two Democrats in Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, called on Trump to demand that all the protesters leave the Capitol and its grounds immediately.

 

Capitol Police told lawmakers in the House chamber to take gas masks from beneath their seats and prepare to put them on. Officers at the front door of the House chamber had their guns drawn as someone attempted to enter the chamber.

 

Officers ordered people in the chamber to drop to the floor for their safety. Several hundred House members, staff and press were evacuated to an undisclosed location and were told not to leave.

 

Election officials of both parties and independent observers have said there was no significant fraud in the Nov. 3 contest, which Biden won by more than 7 million votes in the national popular vote.

 

Weeks have passed since the states completed certifying that Biden, a Democrat, won the election by 306 Electoral College votes to Trump's 232. Trump's extraordinary challenges to Biden's victory have been rejected by courts across the country.

 

'WE WILL NOT TAKE IT'

Trump had pressed Pence to throw out election results in states the president narrowly lost, though Pence has no authority to do so.

 

"Our country has had enough and we will not take it any more," Trump said at the rally.

 

The certification in Congress, normally a formality, had been expected to stretch for several hours as some Republican lawmakers mounted an effort to reject some state tallies, starting with Arizona.

 

Republicans and Democrats, who had been bitterly divided over that effort, both called on protesters to stand down.

 

"This is un-American and this has to stop," said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Trump ally who supported the Republican effort to challenge the results.

 

That attempt was unlikely to succeed, as even many Republicans opposed it.

 

"If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who helped give Trump some of his biggest accomplishments.

 

Schumer called the challenges in Congress by Trump allies "an attempted coup" and said, "The Congress does not determine the outcome of an election. The people do."

 

Outside the Capitol, members of militia groups and far-right groups, some in body armor, mingled with the crowds.

 

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a citywide curfew starting at 6 p.m. (2300 GMT).

 

Pence rebuffed Trump's demand that he reject state electoral votes on the same day Trump's fellow Republicans were poised to lose their majority in the Senate.

 

"We will never give up," Trump earlier told thousands of cheering supporters on a grassy expanse near the White House called the Ellipse. "We will never concede. It doesn't happen. You don't concede when there's theft involved."

 

"Mike Pence, I hope you're going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and the good of our country. And if you're not, I'm going to be very disappointed in you," Trump said.

 

In a statement, Pence said he shares the concerns about the "integrity" of the election but that is not correct that he should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally.

 

The U.S. Constitution does not give Pence the power to unilaterally overturn the results of the election.

 

The protests drew international condemnation, with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracy's enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the U.S. Capitol.

 

"Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy," Maas said.

 

(Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell, Susan Heavey, Richard Cowan and Tim Ahmann; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-07

 

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[starky]

Trump and his seditious, tin foil hat wearing lunatics have gone too far with this one. America the rest of the world is watching. Get your house in order.

[mikebike]

Why am I not at all surprised?

 

After 4 yrs of insane rhetoric brainwashing the cult into believing another 4yrs was an entitlement, followed by the child-like, poor-loser ravings and vapid claims of the last two months, what else was expected.

 

The leader and the followers really believe their own drek.

[placeholder]

Responding to Biden's call for him to act, Trump denounced the Capitol invaders in no uncertain terms:

" Literally minutes later, Trump issued a minutelong video statement in which he told individuals occupying Congress to “go home” but reiterated his claim that Democrats stole the presidential election and said, about the occupiers, “I know your pain, I know your hurt.” Added the president: “We love you, you’re very special … I know how you feel.”

Live Blog: Trump supporters gather on Mall, as Congress counts Joe Biden’s victory. (slate.com)

 

Just kidding.

[Kadilo]

Excellent speech by Biden. 

 

Rather than condemn the actions, Trumps video response has added more fuel to the disgusting scenes. He needs to be locked up. 

[Somtamnication]

I hope some retrumplicans wake up and see what has gone wrong over the past 4 years. What a banana republic this place has become!

[impulse]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

It's insurrection,' Biden says

 

 

It's not insurrection.  It's a protest.  Kind of like the ones that went on every night for weeks (months?) in some cities.  In fact, this one seemed pretty benign in comparison, with no burnt cars, buildings or destroyed businesses.

 

I don't support them, but I'm pleased that our elected representatives are getting a taste of real life and the consequences of the conditions they create.  Like the poor folks in Washington state put up with for months on end. 

 

Maybe now, they'll do something about it.

 

Edited January 6, 2021 by impulse

[Fat is a type of crazy]

In the big picture this could be looked at as a good political day. 

Trump's efforts to overturn the election are no longer amusing or theoretical. His efforts with Pence, and with this nonsense,  has shown if he could take over in a coup he would. Cruz and Hawley and friends will be damaged too. 

This could hasten the end of a broader power for Trump and friends.

 

John Ossoff has won too.

 

[placeholder]

But at least Ivanka wasn't afraid to condemn the insurrectionists in no uncertain terms:

"American Patriots - any security breach or disrespect to our law enforcement is unacceptable," Ivanka wrote in the tweet. "The violence must stop immediately. Please be peaceful."

Ivanka urges 'patriots' storming Capitol to 'stop immediately' in now-deleted tweet | TheHill

 

Just kidding.

[heybruce]

Trump and his base show their true colors:  They are not the party of law and order and definitely not the party of patriots.  They are the party of lawless sedition.

[Salerno]

First time since the Brits in 1814?

[heybruce]

McConnell, perhaps concerned about how history will remember him, finally says something I agree with:

 

'"If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who helped give Trump some of his biggest accomplishments.'

[candide]

4 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

In the big picture this could be looked at as a good political day. 

Trump's efforts to overturn the election are no longer amusing or theoretical. His efforts with Pence, and with this nonsense,  has shown if he could take over in a coup he would. Cruz and Hawley and friends will be damaged too. 

This could hasten the end of a broader power for Trump and friends.

 

John Ossoff has won too.

 

Exactly! 

[harada]

A fair indication of the intelligence of these people, having your face on TV worldwide unmasked smashing the Capitol windows and having selfies taken inside, surely this would have to be a federal offence, anyone know ?

Edited January 6, 2021 by harada

[Lacessit]

Perhaps the GOP will now realize they tied their fortunes to a demagogue and sociopath who has led them into irrelevancy. As usual, Trump is egging his knuckleheads on while pretending to support law and order.

Apparently one Civil War is not enough for some Americans.

[heybruce]

9 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

In the big picture this could be looked at as a good political day. 

Trump's efforts to overturn the election are no longer amusing or theoretical. His efforts with Pence, and with this nonsense,  has shown if he could take over in a coup he would. Cruz and Hawley and friends will be damaged too. 

This could hasten the end of a broader power for Trump and friends.

 

John Ossoff has won too.

 

"This could hasten the end of a broader power for Trump and friends."

 

One hopes, but it comes at one hell of a price.  Government can not function by laws alone, there must also be respect for institutions and the ideals the government is founded upon.  Trump has done serious, perhaps permanent, damage to these institutions and ideals.

[pkspeaker]

so basically the day is ending and biden isn't elected on jan 6

Edited January 6, 2021 by pkspeaker

[mikebike]

7 minutes ago, harada said:

A fair indication of the intelligence of these people, having your face on TV worldwide unmasked smashing the Whitehouse windows and having selfies taken inside, surely this would have to be a federal offence, anyone know ?

An interesting display of entitled privilege. Will there be consequences?

[heybruce]

1 minute ago, pkspeaker said:

so basically the day is ending and biden isn't elected on jan 6

Are you hoping the coup attempt will work?  It won't.

[Salerno]

1 minute ago, pkspeaker said:

so basically the day is ending and biden isn't elected 

 

Still time, they've already said they wish to continue. IMO this will speed up the announcement.

[pkspeaker]

1 minute ago, heybruce said:

Are you hoping the coup attempt will work?  It won't.

just stating fact.. the opposition tells you the 'rigged election' is the 'coup' 

[mikebike]

1 minute ago, pkspeaker said:

just stating fact.. the opposition tells you the 'rigged election' is the 'coup' 

Uhm, no. Fact is 11:59pm is the end of the day... are you caressing a crystal ball?

[pegman]

Where were Homeland Security? Were they ordered to Stand Down & Standby? They were out in force against BLM. 

[simple1]

16 minutes ago, heybruce said:

McConnell, perhaps concerned about how history will remember him, finally says something I agree with:

 

'"If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who helped give Trump some of his biggest accomplishments.'

 

Too late. McConnell has been a supporter and enabler of trump's radical right ideology for years. trump calling for insurrection, then requesting the loons to leave Capitol Hill, whilst still repeating his lies of a stolen election, IMO, qualify him and his senior enablers be banned from holding Office for life. One positive is trump has likely created the circumstances for a permanent split in the Republican Party which quite possible will keep them out of power for a least a few election cycles. Hopefully, for the future, Americans have learnt not to put in power an individual who was obviously corrupt, extremely bigoted and sympathetic to authoritarianism.

 

I assume heads will role with the failure of security protecting Capital Hill.

Edited January 6, 2021 by simple1

[Sujo]

Lock him up.

 

its time trump be removed immediately.

[sirineou]

why are this people not being arrested. ?

[sammieuk1]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

why are this people not being arrested. ?

Why are they not being shot ????

[pkspeaker]

LOL the stock market is UP.. investors must think best thing for business is to just not have a govt.

[simple1]

1 minute ago, sirineou said:

why are this people not being arrested. ?

 

Police attempting to deescalate?

[Salerno]

Just now, sirineou said:

Not all of them, arrest as many as you can

 

Give it time; about 15 minutes until curfew kicks in.