At first, the disruption surrounding the Capitol appeared like a curiosity at finest, a nuisance at worst. Thousands of pro-Trump protesters had been pushing into the East Front of the Capitol grounds, previous barricades, some waving Trump flags, some American flags. But the state of affairs shortly turned grave, with safety officers contained in the House of Representatives chamber warning that “lots of people” had damaged previous a fringe that had been arrange.
“Hold the line and make sure we secure the building,” Paul Irving, the House sergeant at arms, may very well be heard saying into his cellphone.
Whoever he was speaking to, it didn’t work. Within minutes, phrase got here that Vice President Mike Pence was leaving the Senate chamber the place lawmakers had been debating a Republican objection to accepting Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden.
Protesters may very well be seen climbing the steps of the Rotunda, a central domed construction that connects the House and Senate. The group grew in quantity, as officers ran to the Rotunda. Officers ordered anybody within the halls into their safe workplaces.
For reporters, that meant the House chamber. But as soon as there, nothing appeared safe.
Lawmakers who had been within the chamber had been now instructed to remain in place however be ready to evacuate. All doorways had been locked.
“Everyone sit down, stay calm,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ground director, Keith Stern, mentioned. House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern instructed colleagues to remain put for extra directions. A deputy sergeant at arms mentioned everybody wanted to take a seat tight.
“We now have individuals who are in the Capitol rotunda area,” mentioned one other official.
Then got here an much more worrying improvement: an announcement that some form of gasoline had been launched into the Capitol rotunda and members had been instructed to seize gasoline masks saved beneath their seats.
“Call your friend! Call Trump,” Representative Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, shouted to Republicans.
Several sharp bangs had been heard as protesters tried to get into the chamber. Police blocked the primary door — by which the president often enters on his approach to delivering State of the Union and different speeches — with a chunk of furnishings.
Glass panes had been shattered within the door and Capitol cops drew their firearms pointing them at door.
Representative Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, stood and shouted as doorways had been being bolted. “This is because of you!” pointing on the GOP facet.
Other officers ran onto the ground, and commenced yelling on the lawmakers to type line and exit the chamber. But some members and reporters had been left on the second ground gallery.
Lawmakers ran upstairs and commenced ushering the members out a facet door, and down a staircase to an underground tunnel, on the best way to a safe workplace constructing.
But as members had been leaving, they might see people unfold eagle on the third ground of the House chamber, underneath the management of officers in riot gear and obvious semi-automatic weapons.
