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On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence began to oversee the long-awaited joint session of Congress that would nationally certify the 2020 election results, which saw President-elect Joe Biden defeat outgoing President Donald Trump by 32 electoral votes.
Fueled by Trump's lies that widespread election fraud coordinated by Democrats tipped the election to Biden, a faction of Trump's supporters believed that Pence would wield power he doesn't actually have in order to overturn the election results.
As the proceedings began, Trump addressed attendees of a "Save America" rally where he continued to repeat his election conspiracy lies.
He told the crowd:
"We're never going to take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong."
Though he alluded to peaceful protests, Trump repeatedly told attendees to "fight" and encouraged them to walk to the Capitol building to make their position known to lawmakers.
They listened, and as the House and Senate separately debated the validity of Arizona's electoral votes, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, throwing the day's proceedings into chaos and forcing Pence to evacuate.
#BREAKING: Senators pause Electoral College debate amid Capitol Hill protests.
Aide to Sen. James Lankford: "Protesters are in the building." pic.twitter.com/GNOCrtpAuN
— The Hill (@thehill) January 6, 2021
Breaking video: Protesters enter the U.S. Capitol building. pic.twitter.com/05nL2aBDtp
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) January 6, 2021
Chaos at Capitol as Trump supporters enter building pic.twitter.com/DB5KiE67jd
— Barrett Wilson (@BarrettWilson6) January 6, 2021
#BreakingNews: Trump supporters break the window into the US Capitol building. Curfew has been called in DC for 6pm. pic.twitter.com/0iXWXWPPDU#CapitolHill #SaveAmericaRally #TrumpRally #Trump #electoralcollegeVote #Elections2020 #Election2020results
— Scriberr News (@ScriberrNews) January 6, 2021
Journalists and lawmakers inside the building were instructed to take refuge in Capitol offices or behind seats and tables in the gallery.
Inside the House chamber, starting to get slightly frantic.
Capitol police warning people they may need to go behind theirs seats.
“We have folks entering the rotunda."
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) January 6, 2021
Tear gas has been deployed inside the U.S. Capitol.
Senators being evacuated, as protesters storm the Capitol. Trump supporters seen here discharging a fire extinguisher, and officers are literally standing there and watching them...
Where are the police? Where are the National Guard? pic.twitter.com/i4b1n6ihMy
— Rachel Blevins (@RachBlevins) January 6, 2021
Update: gas masks are being prepared pic.twitter.com/6TYWImnoK3
— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) January 6, 2021
As the attempted coup raged on, the President fired off a tweet urging his supporters to "Stay peaceful!"
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Trump's tweet was seen as too little, too late, with swathes of people pointing to his months-long smear campaign of election integrity as the impetus of the violence.
Little late. https://t.co/OJQdJ2CAww
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 6, 2021
Matchstick advises fire to burn only so hot https://t.co/gegAo2aeWw
— Scott Reid (@_scottreid) January 6, 2021
You instigated this all 4 years. Now they're acting on it. https://t.co/yt1IeJdB0k
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) January 6, 2021
He lights the fire and then tries to distance himself from it https://t.co/2g0O3KsfHk
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) January 6, 2021
You've told them to FIGHT for the past few months. Even told the Proud Boys to stand by. This is on you. This is what you wanted. https://t.co/0WHrFCjBcK
— ✊🏿 DDS618 (@DDS618_) January 6, 2021
You used to just say “Law and Order" and keep it moving. Why the switch up? https://t.co/10QYHv0jBv
— LBeith Stanfield (@LeBarian) January 6, 2021
Trump has repeatedly told militias like the Proud Boys to "stand by" and has spent the last few weeks encouraging his supporters to descend upon D.C. during the joint session.
His critics are calling for much more than a tweet.
Trump's refusal to concede the election has fueled an act of domestic terrorism! He should be forced to resign before January 20th. #CNN #MSNBC
— Armenta Chavis (@ChavezChavis) January 6, 2021
Republican leaders should meet with Trump now to tell him to concede and resign immediately, or invoke the 25th Amendment.
— Rick Catherman (@RickCatherman) January 6, 2021
Arrest the thug in the White House for inciting a Civil War. #ArrestTrump
— Exploding Trumppopotamus Singh MD 🌊 (@LabyrinthWeaver) January 6, 2021
Government buildings in D.C. are on lockdown.
UPDATE 1/6/2021, 4:29 PM:
The President has since issued another tweet calling for peace and a video urging his supporters to "go home" while continuing to lie that the election was stolen.
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
pic.twitter.com/Pm2PKV0Fp3
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
Trump told his supporters that he loves them and that they're "special."