COLORADO — Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday during a joint session to accept the Electoral College votes confirming President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential election win, leading to an evacuation of members of Congress from the building.
Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid skirmishes by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Police have arrested at least 13 people amid the rioting and a woman was shot by law enforcement. NBC News and the Washington Post, citing law enforcement sources, confirmed that a woman who was shot inside of the Capitol died.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado GOP Chairman Ken Buck released the following joint statement Wednesday evevning addressing what happened in Washington.
“In America, we hold free, fair, and secure elections and we honor the outcome. We respect the rule of law and an assault on our democratic republic is an assault on all of us who believe in our constitution and what makes our country extraordinary. We respect the peaceful transition of power. The alarming scenes that are unfolding in Washington are something you might expect to see in countries far from our shores, not in our nation’s capitol, and certainly not in the hallowed halls or on the floor of Congress. We are relieved that Colorado’s federal delegation is safe. We all must step up to protect the institutions of our republic, free and fair elections, and the rule of law.”
According to our news partners KMGH in Denver, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo. said just before 5 p.m. MT that she thinks Trump should be impeached again and removed from office. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said earlier in the afternoon she was drawing up more articles of impeachment.
“President Trump instigated a violent attack on our government in an attempt to remain in power against the will of the people. He should be impeached, removed from office and arrested immediately,” DeGette said.
Among those members who were inside the Capitol were Colorado politicians. A statement from Congressman Doug Lamborn was released by his office around 1:30 p.m.
"My staff and I are safe. I strongly condemn those individuals that have chosen to incite violence and have put our law enforcement in harm's way. Today is supposed to be a day of constitutional debate, not violence. This is not who we are as Americans."
Colorado GOP Chairman Ken Buck also released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
"What has happened at the U.S. Capitol today is disgusting and anti-American. The American people have the right to protest peacefully, but this is not peaceful and it's not a protest. I condemn this in the strongest terms and urge everyone to stop this madness immediately. I want to thank the U.S. Capitol Police for their service and work in keeping members and staff safe."
My staff and I are safe, please continue to pray for our nation.
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) January 6, 2021
The events unfolding at the Capitol are outrageous. We will not tolerate anarchy in this country. pic.twitter.com/RFXmeYh4qS
Just before 2 p.m., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. tweeted his team was safe: “Update: I was trapped in the House Chamber with a few members for a little while as protestors tried to ram down the doors. We didn’t know how we were gonna get out, but Capitol Police were able to clear a route and get us out. We’re all now being protected in a secure location.”
Crow said just after 2:30 p.m. MT that lawmakers would return to the Capitol Wednesday.
Update: I was trapped in the House Chamber with a few members for a little while as protestors tried to ram down the doors. We didn’t know how we were gonna get out, but Capitol Police were able to clear a route and get us out. We’re all now being protected in a secure location.
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) January 6, 2021
We have stopped the coup attempt and will be returning to the Capitol today to finish the business of the people. We will never back down, we will return.
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) January 6, 2021
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., who just minutes before the electoral count was stopped loudly voiced her objection to Arizona’s certified election results, said that she was locked down and that the House Speaker had been removed. Vice President Mike Pence, who was overseeing the joint session of Congress, was also escorted from the chambers before all members were evacuated.
Thank you to everyone that has been checking in. My staff and I are safe and in an undisclosed location. I support peaceful protests and the rule of law, and denounce all acts of violence. I am grateful to the Capitol Police for their service. Thank you for keeping us safe.
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) January 6, 2021
Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., was safe and in a secure location, a staff member said.
My staff and I are safe and in a secure lockdown. Grateful to Capitol Police for their work to protect us.
— Senator John Hickenlooper (@SenatorHick) January 6, 2021
It’s a sad day for our country, but our democracy is stronger than the dangerous attack on the Capitol today.
Officials declared the Capitol secure nearly four hours after pro-Trump occupiers disrupted the electoral count, according to the Associated Press.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. has ordered a curfew in the nation’s capital beginning at 6 p.m. shortly after protesters seeking to overturn the election results stormed the U.S. Capitol building.
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