Insurrection at the Capitol: Trump Defends Rioters, Twitter Locks Trump’s Account

• Supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the Capitol, tearing down four layers of security fencing.
• The pro-Trump mob stormed the building as Congress began to certify Electoral College votes for President-Elect Joe Biden.
• Capitol Police are leading evacuation efforts following a shelter-in- place order for lawmakers and reporters.

THE LATEST - 8:30 PM ET

• Congress has resumed the Electoral College certification. Follow along in our sister post here.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemned the violence and placed the blame on the president

"This temple to democracy was desecrated... This will be a stain on our country not so easily washed away, the final terrible indelible legacy of the 45th president of the United States, undoubtedly, our worst." 

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also lambasted the rioters:

"We will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation. We are back at our posts, we will discharge our duty under the Constitution, and for our nation. And we are going to do it, tonight."

7:00 PM ET

Twitter has locked the account of @RealDonaldTrump following a series of incendiary and fraudulent tweets (which can be found below).

6:45 PM ET

• Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested 13 pro-President Trump rioters who overtook the Capitol building. 

MPD Chief Robert Contee said during a Wednesday evening press conference that police arrested “just above” 13 people and recovered “approximately” five weapons.

“I should add a very important note here that none of the arrests that occurred were D.C. residents. All of the individuals who were arrested were from out of area.” 

6:15 PM ET

President Trump is now defending the mob who stormed the Capitol:

“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away."

6:15pm ET

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT):

"What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President."

6:00 pm ET

A woman who was shot inside the Capitol was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

“Yes, the adult female that was shot inside of the Capitol was pronounced at an area hospital,” -Dustin Sternbeck with the Metropolitan Police Department

5:25 pm ET

Reps. Omar & Pressley call for Trump’s impeachment:

Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN) and Ayanna Pressley (MA) called for President Trump’s impeachment on Twitter:

4:25 pm ET

• In a one-minute video released on social media, Trump urged his supporters to disperse. However, he also reiterated his false claims that the election was “fraudulent,” which was the basis for the protests.

4:00 pm ET

President-elect Joe Biden addressed the riots, calling them an "assault" on democracy.

"At this hour, our democracy's under unprecedented assault. Unlike anything we've seen in modern times. An assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself. An assault on the people's representatives and the Capitol Hill police, sworn to protect them. And the public servants who work at the heart of our Republic... Let me be very clear. The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America. Do not represent who we are. What we're seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent. It's disorder. It's chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end now."

THE LATEST - 3:55 pm ET

• Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) have issued a joint statement, calling on the president to demand the pro-Trump rioters leave immediately.

"We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protestors leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately."

This is the scene in Pelosi's office:

• The entire D.C. National Guard has been activated and police in riot gear are moving in.
• Vice President Mike Pence is calling on rioters to leave the Capitol building:

• Earlier in the day, Trump lambasted his vice president, causing Twitter to slap on a warning that it could lead to a risk of violence:

•  Ivanka Trump addressed the rioters as "American Patriots":
• Minutes later, after pushback on Twitter for calling the rioters "American patriots," the Trump adviser deleted the tweet.

• U.S. Capitol police have locked down all buildings within the Capitol complex.
• Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, a longtime Trump supporter, is pleading with the president to "call it off."

“The President needs to call it off … Call it off. It’s over. The election’s over. And the objectors need to stop meddling with the primal forces of our democracy here."

• Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) is pleading for the DC National Guard:

Here are more reactions from Congress:

• President Donald Trump urged protesters to support law enforcement:
• Earlier in the day, Trump encouraged his supporters to protest at the Capitol, hours before the building was breached.
• Trump's spokespersons have declined to deliver any message from the president on the chaos unfolding.
• Vice President Mike Pence has been evacuated from the Capitol, where he had been attending a Joint Session of Congress. 

• Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) tweeted calling it a "coup attempt":

• Washington, DC, will be under a 6:00 p.m. curfew tonight, tweeted Mayor Muriel Bowser. It will remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

-Josh Herman