The US Capitol Building was attacked by pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday (January 6) as members of Congress met to certify the results from November’s election.
The attack began as members of the Senate dispersed to their separate chamber as an objection to the certification of Arizona’s electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden entered the floor.
Rioters flying pro-Trump flags stormed the building, forcing Vice President Mike Pence and other elected officials to be evacuated. A woman was reportedly shot in the chest during the ensuing chaos, and only recently was the entire National Guard deployed to assist Capitol Police.
President-elect Biden addressed the nation from Wilmington, Delaware, condemning the violence, and calling on President Donald Trump to do the same.
“At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault,” he began, “Unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times.”
“An assault in the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself,” he continued. “An assault on the people’s representatives and the Capitol Hill police, sworn to protect them… and assault on the rule of law. ”
“Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America,” the incoming president said. “[They] do not reflect who we are.”
Biden called the rioters “extremists,” calling the violence at the Capitol, “disorder” and “chaos,” “it borders on sedition, and it must end now.”
He called on the “mob” to disperse to let lawmakers continue their work to certify the election results as laid out in the Constitution.
“You’ve heard me say it before in a different context, the words of a President matter, no matter how good or bad that president is.”
Biden repeated the call for decency and a “renewal of politics that’s about solving problems and looking out for one another not stoking the flames of hate and chaos.”
Biden called the attack a “God-awful display” of violence and went on to call out Trump directly, urging the outgoing president to address the violence at the Capitol: “President Trump, step up.”
He ended his speech by sending well wishes to the lawmakers reportedly hiding inside the Capitol building before apologizing for a delay in coming out to speak to the nation. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” he said before leaving without answering questions from reporters.
Photos: Getty Images