In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building just when members of the Senate and Congress were debating the outcome of the last November’s Presidential Polls. Termed as an attempt to stage a bloodless coup, the storming of Donald Trump supporters left Americans in a state of shock. A former chief of the Washington DC Police chief called the action ‘seditious’ and termed Trump as ‘cancer.’
Trump supporters stormed the building and occupied the Senate hall just when lawmakers were busy debating the election of Biden as the next US President. Both Houses were debating the objection raised by a Republican member on the legitimacy of the election results of Arizona.
Vice President Mike Pence was inside the building when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building. Pence had to be evacuated from Capitol, where he was to perform his role in the counting of electoral votes.
Soon, special forces were deployed at the Capitol building, prompting the Trump supporters to leave and assemble outside the building.
LIVE UPDATES on this story will appear below:
07:05 AM: Statement from former President Barack Obama:
6:01 AM: Like so many others, I’ve been watching what’s happening in the United States. I share the sentiment of friends in the US – what is happening is wrong. Democracy – the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully should never be undone by a mob. Our thoughts are with everyone who is as devastated as we are by the events of today. I have no doubt democracy will prevail: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
4:48 AM: Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld – and it will be: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau
04:42 AM: One woman, who received bullet wounds during the attempted coup by Donald Trump has died. It was no longer #bloodlesscoup in the end.
GRAPHIC: A woman at the Capitol occupation appears to have been shot in this video. Blood comes out of her mouth. pic.twitter.com/d32S1tXtII
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) January 6, 2021
04:01 AM: “I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement”: Former US President George W Bush
03:55 AM: Twitter imposes restrictions on Donald Trump’s video appeal repeating election lies after attempted coup in #CapitolHill, stops tweet from being liked, commented on and shared. #WashingtonDC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
03:40 AM: Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power: British PM Boris Johnson
02:01 AM: Police are calling for reinforcements as demonstrators swarm the Capitol. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said members of the US Secret Service and the Federal Protective Service are currently meeting calls to provide assistance.
01:56 AM: Gunshots fired near Capitol building, one woman reported to be critically injured. CNN calls it an attempted coup by Donald Trump.
01:50 AM: Washington DC Mayor tweets, “Today, I’m ordering a citywide curfew for the District of Columbia from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 7.”
01:44 AM: Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger tweets, “This is a coup attempt.”
This is a coup attempt.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) January 6, 2021