WASHINGTON — The electoral college vote certification was interrupted when supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, capturing the nation’s attention and threatening its democratic process.
The rioters, fueled by Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud, breached the building and ran freely through its historic halls before being forced out. The violence resulted in the death of one woman and an emergency district curfew that will last until Thursday morning. Here is how the situation unfolded:
Morning rally near the White House
10:53 a.m. Eastern Standard Time: Trump’s lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani incites the crowd at the “Save America Rally,” saying, “Over the next 10 days, we get to see the machines are crooked, the ballots are fraudulent. And if we’re wrong, we will be made fools of. But if we’re right, a lot of them will go to jail. So … let’s have trial by combat. I am willing to stake my reputation.”
Between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.: Trump supporters continue to gather to protest Congress’ formal counting and certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral college win over President Trump.
1:00 p.m.: As Trump speaks at the rally outside the White House, his supporters advance on the Capitol building.
1:02 p.m.: Vice President Mike Pence issues a letter saying he can’t block election results.
1:13 p.m.: Trump ends his speech at the rally with a call to march down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Riots begin
Around 1:20 p.m.: Mobs start to form outside the Capitol building, as Trump supporters try to break past police barriers.
2:13 p.m.: The Capitol is locked down, with no entry or exit.
2:16 p.m.: Rioters breach the Capitol building, while it is on lockdown.
Violence escalates
2:20 p.m.: Rioters bang on doors at the Capitol and break a window.
2:31 p.m.: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announces curfew for 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.
2:47 p.m.: Guards draw their guns in the House chamber.
3:00 p.m.: Rioters storm in and cheer in the Capitol Rotunda.
3:03 p.m.: Rioters are on the Senate floor.
3:13 p.m.: Trump tweets asking for peace at the Capitol.
3:23 p.m.: A woman is shot in the Capitol.
Around 3:50 p.m.: An explosive device is reportedly found at the Republican National Committee building.
4:06 p.m.: President-elect Joe Biden makes a speech in Delaware, saying “our democracy is under unprecedented assault.”
President-elect Joe Biden called the violent protests on the U.S. Capitol “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the people’s business.”
4:18 p.m.: Trump tweets a video repeating his false claims of election fraud and praising his supporters, although he encouraged them to go home. The tweet was later removed by Twitter.
5:34 p.m.: Capitol building is announced as secure.
5:49 p.m.: The woman who was shot is reported dead.
6:00 p.m.: Curfew starts in Washington. Former President George W. Bush issues a statement on the insurrection at the Capitol.
Around 7:00 p.m.: The process begins to resume for Congress to count and announce the electoral college results in favor of Biden.
