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

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, thousands of Trump voters gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump amid his unfounded claims of election fraud following his November 2020 loss to Joe Biden, as Congress met to certify the votes of the Electoral College.

Since that day, seven people have died and more than 700 have been arrested. A House committee is investigating the deadly riots and those involved, and a solemn observance is planned for Jan. 6, 2022.

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

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

Pepper spray was fired as Trump supporters clashed with police and security forces as they stormed the Capitol building.

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

A gallows was erected by Trump supporters as others stormed the Capitol building.

There was smoke in the air as rioters clashed with police and security forces. 

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

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

Here, police detained one of the rioters as demonstrations continued. 

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

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

Rioters covered the steps of the Capitol building, brandishing flags. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado comforted Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania took cover. 

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

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

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

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

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

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 sitting in the Senate Chamber.

Protesters entered the Senate Chamber gallery, as well.

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

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

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

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

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

A rioter in the Capitol, dressed in a bullet-proof vest under his animal pelts and holding a police riot shield. 

Rioters walked through the Capitol after breaching barricades to the building. 

A woman in a Make America Great Again hat used a vape pen while sitting at a desk in the Capitol building.  

A Capitol police officer looked out of a broken window as protesters gathered at the U.S. Capitol building. 

Members of the FBI SWAT team patrolled the building after rioters breached the Capitol's security. 

Members of the FBI SWAT team patrolled the Longworth House Office building, near the Capitol and used by Congress. 

Capitol Police officers received medical treatment after being pepper-sprayed by pro-Trump rioters.

The House Chamber sat empty after all in attendance were evacuated. 

The equipment of media crews was smashed and damaged during continued upheaval by pro-Trump rioters in Washington, D.C.