A violent mob loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election, undercut the nation’s democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.
The nation’s elected representatives scrambled to crouch under desks and donned gas marks, while police futilely tried to barricade the building, one of the most jarring scenes ever to unfold in a seat of American political power. A woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washington’s mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the violence.
Congress reconvened Wednesday evening to count each state’s electoral votes and confirm President-elect Joe Biden as the winner.
As many as three dozen congressional Republicans had been expected to launch a final challenge to the results of the 2020 presidential election. It has become routine after recent elections for House lawmakers on the losing side to put up a symbolic fight over the results, which they can do under an 1880s law governing the process. It has been less common for senators to join them, but this time a dozen said they would.
Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) had said they would lead the challenge of the votes and call for an “emergency audit” to investigate baseless fraud allegations. It was unclear whether the chaotic events Wednesday would alter Republican lawmakers’ plans to challenge the results.
The Post’s Libby Casey is anchoring live coverage, featuring reporters Aaron Blake, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and Amber Phillips. Read more here.