Congress on Lockdown, Lawmakers Shelter in Place as Protesters Breach Capitol

The congressional debate over certifying the Electoral College abruptly halted Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers went into lockdown after the Capitol Building was breached by a group of rioters making their way into the House and Senate chambers.

The US Senate went to an emergency recess after demonstrators were seen breaking the barricades, then entered the building, and started pounding on the door of the US House of Chamber.

U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

At least one explosive device has been found near the US Capitol amid a violent occupation of the building, and one person was reported to have been shot.

President Trump issued a video telling protesters to go home and restore peace:

Trump earlier tweeted, “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!”

Police attempted to regain control of the building while Vice President Pence and multiple senators were seen being evacuated  President Trump sent the National Guard to the scene to help restore order.  

Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted, “Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence—from Left or Right— is ALWAYS wrong. And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support.”

President-elect Joe Biden called the day’s events “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the people’s business.”

When the rumors of the breach first broke, President Trump had immediately called for peace on Capitol Hill.

Condemnation of the violence has been swift from every sector of society. Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper, senior officials of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, denounced today’s storming the Capitol:

The right to protest is sacrosanct in American life. But the very values and rights bestowed by our democracy are degraded and diminished when police officers have to draw their guns to protect our duly elected officials in heart of our nation by violent protesters who, by their reckless and dangerous behavior have inflicted grievous wounds on our nation. Nothing, not even the emotional charges of voter fraud in a presidential election, can ever legitimize or excuse such behavior. For as the Talmud warns, ‘Pray for the welfare of the government, for without…it man would swallow his fellow.’ Today is a dark day for America.”

Here’s some more response from Christian and political leaders:

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