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Panic as Pro-Trump protesters break into US congress over electoral votes (Photos)

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Earlier, supporters of US President Donald Trump gathered outside the Capitol. Photo: Reuters
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Dozens of protesters celebrate after reaching the Capitol’s central rotunda. Photo: EPA

 

Vice-President Mike Pence was ushered out of the senate chamber on Wednesday as protesters laid siege to the US congress during the ratification of the November 3 presidential election.

The protesters trooped to the congress shortly after President Donald Trump encouraged them to do so.

Earlier, supporters of US President Donald Trump gathered outside the Capitol. Photo: Reuters

According to the NBC, a police officer on the third floor of the building advised people to take shelter because protesters had got inside.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks amid protests in Washington Image captionPresident-elect Joe Biden tells President Donald Trump to “step up” in response to the protests. Photo: Reuters.

Senators were locked inside their chamber on the second floor of the Capitol building and protesters wearing Trump “Make America Great Again” hats and carrying flags were seen gathering outside the chamber doors, the news outlet said in its report.

A protester jumps over a balcony to reach the Senate floor. Photo: Getty Images

Pence, who is the head of the American senate, has come under intense pressure from Trump to scuttle the ratification of the November 3 election.

Twitter describes President Trump’s response to the protests as posing a “risk of violence”. Photo: BBC

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump charged Pence to upturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, saying it takes “extreme courage” to do so.

After sitting at the desk of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one protester leaves a message reading “we will not back down”. Photo: EPA

But in a statement shortly before he walked into congress, Pence said only lawmakers can decide whether to accept the certified results of the election or not.

“Some believe that as Vice President, I should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally,”Pence had said.

Protesters speak to police and other Capitol staff during a tense stand-off inside. Photo: Getty Images

“Others believe that electoral votes should never be challenged in a Joint Session of Congress. I believe neither view is correct.

“Four years ago, surrounded by my family, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, which ended with the words ‘So help me God’.

One Trump supporter is seen dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Photo: Reuters.

“When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of the Electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws, and history.”

 

(The Witness)

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