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  1. People.com
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  3. Shocking Photos of the Violent Riots Occurring at the U.S. Capitol

Shocking Photos of the Violent Riots Occurring at the U.S. Capitol

Pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to evacuate as shots were reported inside

By Andrea Wurzburger and Amanda Retotar
January 06, 2021 05:03 PM
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Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, thousands of Trump voters gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump amid his unfounded claims of election fraud following his November loss to Joe Biden, as Congress met to certify the votes of the Electoral College.

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Protestors gathered in large numbers as they demonstrated against the results of the presidential election. 

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Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty

The protests soon became riots as demonstrators broke through security fencing outside of the U.S. Capitol. Here, a group of Capitol Hill police officers are met by a large group of protesters as they destroy security fencing. 

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Pepper spray can be seen as Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the Capitol building.

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Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty

A man is seen bleeding outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. 

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A gallows is erected by Trump supporters as others storm the Capitol building.

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There is smoke in the air as rioters clash with police and security forces on Wednesday. 

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A supporter of President Trump stands outside of the Capitol building, holding both Trump and American flags. 

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Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty

Demonstrators enter the U.S. Capitol in large numbers after breaching security fencing. 

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Police detained one of the rioters as demonstrations continued. 

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Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty

Rioters in gas masks stood in front of the Capitol, waving flags. 

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Pro-Trump rioters scaled the walls of the United States Capitol on Wednesday. 

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Pro-Trump rioters covered the Capitol building on Wednesday, brandishing flags. 

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Here, a group of people dressed in Trump paraphernalia enter the Capitol building. The rioters pushed through barriers set up along the perimeter just after 1 p.m. EST. 

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Smoke filled the corridor of the Capitol as rioters breached security. 

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Protesters, many of them not wearing masks, clashed with Capitol Police inside the building. 

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Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A rioter with a flag that reads, "Trump is my president," on the steps inside the Capitol building, near the Senate Chamber. 

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A rioter ran through the hall of the Capitol as more breached the building's security. 

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As rioters tried to break into the House Chamber, people in attendance sheltered in the gallery. 

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Reps. Diana DeGette of Colorado (center) and Veronica Escobar of Texas (right) took cover as protesters disrupted the joint session of Congress. 

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Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania and other members evacuated and took cover as protesters attempted to break into the House Chamber.

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Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty

Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado comforted Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania while taking cover. 

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People sheltered in the House gallery as protesters tried to break into the House Chamber.

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People sheltered in the House gallery as rioters eventually broke into the House Chamber. 

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Chairs were left empty and belongings left on seats as members of Congress evacuated the House Chamber. 

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U.S. Capitol police officers pointed their guns at a barricaded door that was vandalized in the House Chamber. 

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Security officers barricaded the door of the House Chamber as protesters tried to break in.

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The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence evacuated from the floor of Congress as hundreds of protesters swarmed past barricades surrounding the building. Here, one demonstrator sits in the Senate Chamber.

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Protesters entered the Senate Chamber gallery, as well.

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One pro-Trump rioter sat inside the office of United States Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. 

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U.S. Capitol police officers detained some demonstrators outside the House Chamber. 

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Police in riot gear were pepper sprayed by pro-Trump rioters as they attempted to breach the building's security. 

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One rioter smiled and waved as he carried the podium bearing the seal of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

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A pro-Trump rioter held a confederate flag in the Capitol Building. 

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