BREAKING: Pro-Trump protestors breach Capitol as lawmakers confirm Electoral College votes

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Pro-Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol building following a rally held by Donald Trump. Rioters breached the Capitol’s security, invading the House floor with an ultimate lockdown and evacuation.

By London Sinclair, Senior Reporter

Pro-Trump rioters stormed the United States Capitol earlier this afternoon in Washington D.C. as they breached security while lawmakers and representatives were inside counting Electoral College votes. The security breach caused a lockdown of the Capitol building and a following evacuation as mob protestors gathered to refute the counting of Electoral College votes that would confirm the win of President Elect Joe Biden. The Capitol has been secured. However, four people are reported dead.

According to The Washington Post’s live updates, the situation began to unfold at 1:00 P.M. eastern time when Trump supporters proceeded to push past police barricades and use ropes as makeshift ladders to breach the building’s outer walls and invade the Northern wing of the Capitol. It was also reported by NBC News that one woman was shot inside the Capitol by a member of law enforcement with D.C. police reporting that she has passed away in hospital. Images and videos from the scene by CBS reporter Zak Hudak show an armed standoff taking place at the doors of the House chamber.

Prior to the invasion of the Capitol, Trump organized a rally near the White House, addressing his supporters and efforts to overthrow the presidential election results. The rally, dubbed the “Save America March” comprised of hundreds of Trump advocates holding signs reading “Stand with Trump,” “Save America” as well as waving American flags.

President Trump spoke at the “Save America March” ahead of the Congress session, vowing to “never give up” and “never concede” the 2020 election. Trump also challenged his counterpart, Vice President Mike Pence, for refusing to join Trump’s efforts in overturning the recent election.

“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”(!) Trump stated in a tweet no longer available as it violated the Twitter Rules. Twitter has now blocked Trump’s account for a 24-hour block as Twitter “assessed two policy violations.”

Earlier today, Biden held a news conference in which he called out Trump for not condemning the violence and security breach stating that Trump needs to “fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege.” Biden continued, demanding Trump make an announcement on national television, saying that “the words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad it is.”

Echoing this sentiment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer released a joint statement, urging Trump supporters to cease fire and imploring Trump to speak out against the rioters.

It took the Capitol Police roughly until 5:40 p.m. ET to secure the Capitol building yet the unrest has continued with an explosive device found at the Republican National Committee headquarters, reports of flash grenades and tear gas enveloping the crowds and five more injured and National Guard activated for further assistance. The latest updates from the US Capitol are listed below as well as a link to live coverage and updates.