The breach by a pro-Trump mob at the US Capitol on Wednesday forced members of the House and Senate to suspend a joint session of Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory. Congressional leaders resumed the electoral vote count on Wednesday night after the Capitol building was secured.
Debate in both chambers was suspended on Wednesday following the implementation of a lockdown in the Capitol building. Vice President Pence and congressional lawmakers were evacuated following a breach by a pro-Trump mob. Earlier, Senate leader Mitch McConnell said that overturning the 2020 presidential election result would “damage our republic forever”
While a pro-Trump mob forced entry into the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, other smaller crowds gathered at statehouses across the country, including those in Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota and California. In Atlanta, senior staffers at Georgia Capitol were evacuated as a precautionary measure as militia members gathered outside the building. Most of the situations were dispersed by late on Wednesday afternoon.
Senior staff were evacuated from the statehouse in Atlanta, Georgia as a safety measure as militia members gathered outside.
“It is clear this Congress will not be the same after today, and I hope it will be the better,” Republican Senator Kevin McCarthy said. “I hope not just this institution, but I hope every American pauses for that moment and thinks among themselves, that we can disagree with one another, but not dislike each other.”
Some Trump Cabinet members and allies have discussed invoking the 25th Amendment, which would remove the President from power. It is unclear how extensive the conversations have been or if Vice President Pence would be supportive.
Leaders from around the world, including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, shared their thoughts after a mob stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. The breach by the mob forced members of the House and Senate to suspend a joint session of Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 US election.
