Supporters of President Donald Trump rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as Congress convened to certify the Electoral College votes, which are expected to confirm Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.
The certification, typically a ceremonial step in the election process, has become a hotspot of protests as Trump continues to make unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. In the days leading up to the certification, Trump pressured Vice President Mike Pence to flip the election’s results. Minutes before Congress convened, Pence issued a dramatic statement saying that he did not — and should not — have the authority to do that.
Capitol Police clash with protesters trying to access the Capitol Building
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S. January 6, 2021.
Stephanie Keith | Reuters
A protester inside the Capitol Building
A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
A view of protesters outside the Capitol Building
Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021.
Andrew Harnik | AP
Protesters storm inside the Capitol
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
Electoral College votes arrive at the Capitol
Chamber Assistants carry Electoral College ballot boxes during a joint session of Congress to tally the electoral votes for the president and vice president in the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Caroline Brehman | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence presides over the Electoral College certification
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence presides over a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb | Getty Images
Trump supporters protesting outside the Capitol
Crowds arrive for the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
Spencer Platt | Getty Images
President Donald Trump addresses supporters at a protest rally Wednesday
U.S. President Donald Trump makes a fist during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress in Washington U.S, January 6, 2021.
Jim Bourg | Reuters
Vice President Mike Pence talks with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
US Vice President Mike Pence presides over a joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes for President with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021.
Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
Trump supporters take to the streets of D.C.
Supporters of US President Donald Trump hold a rally outside the US Capitol as they protest the upcoming electoral college certification of Joe Biden as US President in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021.
Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty Images
Trump attends the protest rally Wednesday
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.
Jim Bourg | Reuters
Protestors ask Congress to reconsider
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021.
Leah Millis | Reuters
Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., object to Arizona’s votes
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) bows his head as Republicans applaud him and Senator Paul Gosar (R-AZ) objecting to Arizona’s votes during a joint session to certify the 2020 election results, inside the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Large crowds gather to protest Electoral College vote
Crowds gather for the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election.
Tasos Katopodis | Getty Images
Far-right, pro-Trump group Proud Boys protest
Members of the far-right group Proud Boys make ‘OK’ hand gestures indicating “white power” as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building to protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021.
Jim Urquhart | Reuters
Trump supporters arrive at the rally site early in the morning
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Presidents Park on the Ellipse by the White House for his rally and speech to contest the certification by the U.S. Congress of the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.
Jim Bourg | Reuters
Trump supporters at the Washington Monument. Some protesters wear militia gear
A militia like group makes their way to a rally for US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, as a total of six buses and about 300 people followed by AFP, took part in the Supper Fun Happy America journey to Washington, DC from Boston to take part in the protest and rallies in the district.
Joseph Prezioso | AFP | Getty Images
Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, speak
Trump supporters in prayer
Supporters of US President Donald Trump hold a rally outside the US Capitol as they protest the upcoming electoral college certification of Joe Biden as US President in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021.
Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty Images
A man holds a cross outside the U.S. Capitol
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump pray outside the U.S. Capitol January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress will hold a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
Rudy Giuliani addressed Trump supporters
U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani gestures as he speaks as Trump supporters gather by the White House ahead of his speech to contest the certification by the U.S. Congress of the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.
Jim Bourg | Reuters
A Trump supporter carried out by paramedics
A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump is carried by paramedics during a rally to contest the certification by the U.S. Congress of the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election at the Washington Monument by the White House in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
