WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The crowd pushed past the police barricades, up the steps to the iron doors and in what seemed like no time at all, hoisted a Trump flag from the U.S. Capitol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProtesters are in the building,\u201d came the last words picked up by a microphone carrying a live feed of the Senate before it shut off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hundreds of President Donald Trump\u2019s supporters paraded and hollered through some of the most hallowed spaces in the Capitol — propped at the Senate dais and in the House speaker\u2019s office — all to protest the election and keep President Donald Trump in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was an extraordinary, unprecedented scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump, the defeated president, had been encouraging protesters as Congress convened for a joint session to certify Joe Biden\u2019s win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the very risers set up for Biden\u2019s inauguration at the U.S. Capitol, the Trump supporters gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protests are typical at the Capitol. But this one was not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At least one person was shot and killed, though it\u2019s not clear who pulled the trigger during the chaotic scene. Some in the crowd were shouting \u201ctraitors\u201d as officers tried to keep them back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside the House chamber, lawmakers described a harrowing scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they stayed down, they were told to have gas masks at the ready — and take off the lapel pins they wear identifying them as elected representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police had guns drawn, and furniture barricaded the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glass was shattered. Some prayed while protesters banged on the doors. Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips yelled loudly at Republicans, \u201cThis is because of you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A chaplain prayed as police guarded the doors to the chamber and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Announcements blared: Due to an \u201cexternal security threat,\u201d no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said. Lawmakers tweeted that they were sheltering in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporters and lawmakers hid under tables as the protesters banged on the door, demanding to be let inside. Rumors of guns spread but it wasn\u2019t clear if any shots were fired beside the one. Tear gas was said to have been dispersed in the Rotunda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After making sure the hallways were clear, police swiftly escorted people down a series of hallways and tunnels to a cafeteria in one of the House office buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As he walked out of the Capitol, Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes said he \u201calways assumed it could never happen here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But others were not so sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, among those challenging Biden\u2019s win, blamed \u201cboth sides\u201d for the chaos at the Capitol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think was taking place in this country?\u201d he told reporters. \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of people during the last four years that have just been getting more and more incensed over what is going on around the country, on both sides. It\u2019s just too bad. This is not how we handle things in America.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Senate side was not much different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the session, was evacuated from the Senate as protesters and police shouted outside the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police evacuated the chamber at 2:30 p.m., ushering senators to the first of what would be several undisclosed locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clerks grabbed boxes of electoral college certificates as they left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, attending the session, was among those ushered to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As soon as they left, protesters roamed the halls shouting, \u201cWhere are they?\u201d One got on the Senate dais and yelled, \u201cTrump won that election.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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