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Capitol Hill

Shocking images of chaos at the US Capitol: Rioter hangs from balcony; tear gas fills a corridor

Jay Cannon
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – Rioters overran the United States Capitol building on Wednesday in a chaotic and violent scene that suspended a joint Congressional session to certify the 2020 election results.

Thousands of supporters for President Donald Trump convened in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election, following the lead of Trump, who for weeks has baselessly claimed election fraud caused Joe Biden to win the presidency, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud. 

Earlier Wednesday, thousands of Trump supporters demonstrated on the National Mall as Trump gave a speech calling for Congress to object to the certification of the Electoral College votes.

That push to delegitimize election results escalated Wednesday afternoon, when rioters breached the Capitol building. 

Rioters were seen waving flags in the building, storming the floor of the Senate Chamber and sitting in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Here are some of the most striking images from the chaotic scene at the Capitol. 

Pro-Trump rioters breach Capitol, forcing lockdown:VP Pence evacuated and Senate chamber cleared out

Live:USA TODAY's livestream from the US Capitol

Police hold back supporters of President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on Wednesday.
Rioters try to break through a police barrier Wednesday at the Capitol in Washington.
House members prepare to leave the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
People shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol.
A rioter holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber.
Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress.
A rioter is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber.
A rioter sits in the Senate Chamber.
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol as tear gas fills the corridor.
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits at a desk after invading the Capitol Building.
A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
A supporter of US President Donald Trump leaves a note in the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Rioters enter the US Capitol.
Rioters roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building.
Rioters clash with police and security forces, climbing scaffolding as they try to storm the US Capitol.
Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital Wednesday to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
The storming of the Capitol building prompted Vice President Mike Pence to be swept to a secure location and the Senate chamber to be evacuated.

Follow Jay Cannon of USA TODAY on Twitter: @JayTCannon

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