Updated at 9:08 p.m.
Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in a chaotic protest aimed at thwarting a peaceful transfer of power. They forced lawmakers to be rushed from the building and interrupted challenges to Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.A woman who was shot during the violent protest has died, according to officials familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
UPDATE: Supporters of President Trump breached the Senate chamber and broke through glass doors to the House chamber.
Lawmakers from both chambers were evacuated to undisclosed locations. https://t.co/54Lpn36YLV— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) January 6, 2021
Trump posted a video on Twitter, asking people to go home — but not before reiterating his baseless claims about the election being stolen and saying: "You're very special,” NPR reported.
Earlier, in a huge rally near the White House, the president had egged his supporters on to march to Capitol Hill. He also continued to repeat his false claims that President-elect Joe Biden had won the election through voter fraud.
A large contingent of Proud Boys members were present at the morning rally, some chanting "storm the Capitol," according to reporting from NPR.
The Pentagon says about 1,100 D.C. National Guard members were mobilized to help support law enforcement.
North Carolina Congressional delegates took to Twitter to update the public on their personal welfare and to project political messages regarding the violent protest.
On Wednesday morning, newly-elected Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina spoke directly to the crowd at Trump’s "Stop The Steal" rally saying “this crowd has some fight.” Later in the afternoon he tweeted a message for Trump supporters to “Peacefully protest ONLY.”
American Patriotism will never be silenced! Honored to speak out in defense of the Constitution! pic.twitter.com/bS05aU4XDb— Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) January 6, 2021
Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina issued a statement on Twitter condemning the protests. "It's a national disgrace to have a mob attacking Capitol Police and engaging in anarchy," Tillis wrote. "This is not what America stands for.”
I proudly back the blue and support law and order, which is why I condemned the violence that took place in cities across the nation this summer. It's a national disgrace to have a mob attacking Capitol Police and engaging in anarchy. This is not what America stands for.— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 6, 2021
Democratic Rep. G. K. Butterfield released a statement a little after 3 p.m. confirming that he was safe and monitoring the situation. A number of other North Carolina Congressional representatives, including Republicans Reps. Ted Budd and Greg Murphy, also confirmed they were safe via social media.
Butterfield statement concerning U.S. Capitol:
“I am safe and monitoring the violent uprising that is ongoing at the U.S. Capitol complex. Please pray for our country.”— G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield) January 6, 2021
Rep. Murphy condemnedthe "anarchy and violence" at the Capitol, adding: "this is not how America operates. I am ashamed of this horrible behavior," he said.North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper joined the round of political condemnations calling the mob’s actions “terrorism.” He said in a tweet that the “peaceful transition of power is the hallmark of our democracy.”
The peaceful transition of power is the hallmark of our democracy. Today's terrorism is not who we are. This attack on our country must be overcome. America is better than this. - RC— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) January 6, 2021
Ahead of Wednesday, more than 100 Republican lawmakers had announced their intentions to object to elections results. A number of North Carolina representatives were among that group, including Reps. Dan Bishop, Ted Budd, Madison Cawthorn, Richard Hudson, Greg Murphy andDavid Rouzer.
In astatement, Budd said that he would object during the Electoral College count “on behalf of every North Carolinian and every American who wants integrity in their elections.”
Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis said he would “not oppose the certification of the Electoral College votes.” Senator Richard Burr similarly intended to certify Biden’s electoral win,saying in a statement that "thePresident bears responsibility for today’s events by promoting the unfounded conspiracy theories that have led to this point. It is past time to accept the will of American voters and to allow our nation to move forward."
Members of Congress reconvened on Wednesday night to continue the process of certifying President-elect Biden's White House win.
Elizabeth Baier contributed to this report.
Copyright 2021 North Carolina Public Radio
