WASHINGTON — Pro-Trump violent protesters breached the doors of the United States Capitol building as lawmakers in Congress were engaged in a joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, the final step before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated.
After law enforcement gave the all-clear the Capitol—but not before a woman was killed in the chaos—lawmakers announced they would return to the session and continue with the certification process.
Early in the morning Thursday, Congress completed the tally, confirming Biden's victory.
President Trump, who was banned from Twitter for 12 hours after the mob took to the Capitol, released a statement via White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino that acknowledged Biden's win and said "there will be an orderly transition on January 20th."
PBS NewsHour provided live coverage of the day's events.
Judy Woodruff anchored the live coverage of the siege at the Capitol. Reporter Lisa Desjardins was inside the Capitol and had to be escorted by law enforcement to a secure location once the rioters broke into the building. Yamiche Alcindor provided live updates from the White House.
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a republican, described the scene as "anarchy." Democrat U.S. Rep. Jason Crow tweeted a photo showing law enforcement inside the House chamber with guns drawn.
See what other Colorado members of Congress said about the riots and violence.
Before the final tally in Congress Wednesday, the states had already counted their electors, and Biden won 306 to 232 over President Trump.
The certification of the Electoral College results has historically been a “routine, ceremonious affair.” However, a group of Republicans in the House and Senate objected to some states’ vote tallies right before the riots took place. The objections did not alter the result of the election because Democrats control the House and not enough Republicans in the Senate agreed to try to overturn the election. But the objections and ensuing riots drew out the process of counting the votes which has, in the past, taken less than 30 minutes.
Two of the three Colorado republicans in the House of Representatives—Rep. Doug Lamborn and Rep. Lauren Boebert—objected to certifying Biden’s victory in at least one state. The other republican, Rep. Buck, did not join Lamborn and Boebert.
