BREAKING: Pro-Trump rioters breach US Capitol building, tear gas deployed

Protests disrupted counting of Electoral votes

This is a developing story. Protesters were whipped into a frenzy by President Trump this morning and then angered by Vice President Pence’s decision not to intervene in the counting of the Electoral votes. The protest turned into a riot when members of the mob breached security at the Capitol building and broke into both the House and Senate chambers.

The riot started as Congress was debating Paul Gosar’s (R-Ariz.) objection to counting the electoral votes from Arizona. The Senate was abruptly called into recess as Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) gave his remarks.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar

"Protesters are in the building" -- the Senate is abruptly brought into recess

Fox News has reported that tear gas was used against the trespassers. “Q” signs and flags have been spotted in the crowd as well.

MSNBC @MSNBC

DC mayor and speaker’s office have requested National Guard to clear Capitol Hill of protesters, two sources familiar with the situation tell @NBCNews - @GarrettHaake

msnbc.comBREAKING: The DC Mayor’s office and the Speaker’s office have both requested the presence of the National Guard to clear the U.S. Capitol.The DC Mayor’s office and the Speaker’s office have both requested the presence of the National Guard to clear the U.S. Capitol.

ABC News @ABC

Pro-Trump protesters carrying flags march through the Capitol building, chanting "we want Trump," forcing a lockdown with members of Congress inside. abcn.ws/3pTKfuT

Igor Bobic @igorbobic

They’re in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling “Trump won that election!” This is insane

Amy Siskind 🏳️‍🌈 @Amy_Siskind

Trump supporters at the US Capitol. Throw them all in prison!

Trump supporters have crossed the line from protesting the election to an insurrection. In contrast to the Black Lives Matter protests, the Trump protesters are attempting to overthrow the duly-elected government of the United States and install their preferred president for a second term.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger called the violence a “coup attempt” while Rep. Justin Amash called it an “insurrection.”

Adam Kinzinger @RepKinzinger

This is a coup attempt.

Justin Amash @justinamash

Donald Trump is a demagogue who is inciting an insurrection against our Constitution.

President Trump tweeted that people should remain peaceful and respect the law.

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

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!

As I write this at 3:18 pm Eastern time, Fox News is reporting that shots have been fired. There are pictures of law enforcement officers with guns drawn inside the Capitol building. A Twitter video shows a woman reportedly shot in the neck inside the Capitol.

David Hookstead @dhookstead

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT Terrifying video shows a woman shot in the neck at the Capitol building. (Video: @TaylerUSA)

This incident proves that there is an anti-democratic (small “d”) faction within Trump’s base inside the GOP. While this faction does not represent all Republicans, it is large enough to be very dangerous.

The Republicans who have seconded the president’s false claims are partly to blame. The Republicans involved in the objections to the Electoral College should be ashamed of themselves for what they have wrought.

Read Jay’s commentary on Donald Trump’s incitement of the riot in which he asked, “Where do we go from here? None of us want to be Banana Republicans.”

This is a developing story.