Senate evacuates after sudden recess while certifying Biden’s win amid reports of shots fired on Capitol Hill

Vice president and lawmakers rush to secure location as officers begin using tear gas inside the US Capitol building

The US Senate has been evacuated after sudden recess was called while Congress convened to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the race against President Donald Trump. 

Right-wing pro-Trump rioters clashed with security officials and stormed the US Capitol Building on Wednesday afternoon during the typically-mundane procedure, just as Senator Chuck Grassley banged his gavel three times in the middle of another senator’s speech and said: “Senate will stand in recess subject to the call of the chair”.

A commotion then erupted on the Senate floor: aides rushed to lawmakers, who were quickly escorted out of sight. Some were already sheltered in place in their offices throughout Capitol Hill, as rioters were seen attacking police outside and overtaking barricades behind the Capitol building. 

Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the procedures in a mostly symbolic role, was nowhere to be found.

Just steps away from the Senate chambers, rioters were confronting officers as they held confederate flags. Some of the pro-Trump rioters appeared to be attempting to break the windows of the Capitol building in videos posted to social media by users from inside of the facilities. 

The vice president was evacuated from the premises, according to The New York Times, and taken to a secure location along with Mr Grassley, while representatives tweeted about being locked in their offices and receiving instructions to silence their electronic devices. 

Outside, police officers with the DC Metro appeared to be gearing up in gas masks, with an increasingly heavy security presence near the Capitol.

The president wrote in a tweet after his supporters violently attacked law enforcement: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

Shortly after, the rioters began shooting into the chambers, with CNN reporting an armed standoff inside the building. Reporters in the building were soon sent to a secure location along with lawmakers. 

Reporters in the building were soon sent to a secure location along with lawmakers. The Times’ Jonathan Martin said he was “summoned” over by Senator Mitt Romney (R—UT), who reportedly said: “This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection.”

Nearly an hour after the recess, photos emerged online of the rioters having entered the chambers, with one screaming about Mr Trump’s electoral defeat from the dais and falsely claiming he won. 

Other Republican senators began calling on the president to act, with Senator Marco Rubio (R—FL) writing in a message to Mr Trump posted on Twitter: “Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men & women of law enforcement are under assault. It is crucial  you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down.”

Mr Trump also released a second tweet calling for calm after violence escalated into the walls of the Capitol building, writing in a tweet: “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence!”

“Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue,” he added. “Thank you!”

The Defense Department then reportedly denied a request to send National Guard troops to the Capitol, a move that was immediately attacked as a “seditious” act.

Shortly after, it was reported that the request had been approved and the National Guard would be sent to remove rioters from the Capitol grounds.