Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump protest inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
Roberto Schmidt, AFP via Getty ImagesTrump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.- John Minchillo, The Associated PressPolice keep a watch on Trump supporters who tried to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump gather on the West side of the US Capitol in Washington D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. A mob breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
- Mandel Ngan, AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump is seen on TV from a video message released on Twitter, seen in an empty Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2020. - Thousands of Trump supporters, fueled by his spurious claims of voter fraud, flooded the nation's capital protesting the expected certification of Joe Biden's White House victory by the U.S. Congress.
- Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressU.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesA Trump supporter yells inside the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during mass demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesA protester sits in the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump rioters have entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty ImagesA supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.
- Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty ImagesA supporter of President Donald Trump leaves a note in the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Getty Images blurred a phone number from the desk in this image.
- Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump protest in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
- Jim Watson, AFP via Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden speaks at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, on Jan. 6, 2021. Vice President Mike Pence, in defiance of President Donald Trump, said Wednesday that he will not intervene to stop the certification by Congress of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory.
- Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. A mob breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
- Saul Loeb, AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump protest in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesA Trump supporter is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters have entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesRioters enter the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters have entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressRep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., center, and other people shelter in the House gallery as a mob of pro-Trump supporters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
- Drew Angerer, Getty ImagesMembers of Congress evacuate the House Chamber as protesters attempt to enter during a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Drew Angerer, Getty ImagesMembers of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- J. Scott Applewhite, The Associated PressPolice with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
- Drew Angerer, Getty ImagesU.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. 1
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesRioters enter the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesA Trump supporter stands inside the U.S. Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesRioters enter the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesRioters supporting President Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital.
- Brendan Smialowski, AFP via Getty ImagesTrump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Thousands of Trump supporters, fueled by his spurious claims of voter fraud, flooded the nation's capital protesting the expected certification of Joe Biden's White House victory by the US Congress.
- Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesProtesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Pro-Trump rioters entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital during a joint session Congress to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.
- Andrew Harnik, The Associated PressProtesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021.
- Julio Cortez, The Associated PressPolice keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesA man is seen bleeding outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021.
- Jose Luis Magana, The Associated PressSupporters of President Donald Trump climb the West wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
- Julio Cortez, The Associated PressTrump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- John Minchillo, The Associated PressA demonstrator talks to police over a barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- John Minchillo, The Associated PressTrump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- Julio Cortez, The Associated PressTrump supporters rally at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- John Minchillo, The Associated PressTrump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
- Erin Schaff-Pool, Getty ImagesU.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center right, and preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 Electoral College results in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- congress.gov via Getty ImagesIn this screenshot taken from a congress.gov webcast, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., speaks during a House debate session to ratify the 2020 presidential election at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.
- Win McNamee, Getty ImagesRep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., third from right, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, second from left, are applauded by Republican members of Congress after they objected to the certification of the electoral votes for the state of Arizona during a Joint Session of Congress in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 06, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- Cheriss May, Getty ImagesU.S. Senate staff carry boxes containing state Electoral College votes at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Congress will hold a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- Kevin Dietsch-Pool, Getty ImagesSpeaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Vice President Mike Pence preside over the Electoral College vote certification for President-elect Joe Biden, during a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
- Olivier Douliery, AFP via Getty ImagesSupporters of President Donald Trump take over stands set up for the presidential inauguration as they protest at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
- MANDEL NGAN , AFPPresident Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Thousands of Trump supporters, fueled by his spurious claims of voter fraud, are flooding the nation's capital protesting the expected certification of Joe Biden's White House victory by the U.S. Congress.
- Tasos Katopodis, Getty ImagesProtesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 06, 2021. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building after mass demonstrations in the nation's capital during a joint session Congress to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.
Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
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Supporters of President Donald Trump protest inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and The Associated Press | The Associated Press
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Trump supporters broke through a police barrier and forced their way into the U.S. Capitol Wednesday as lawmakers were in the middle of debating the Electoral College vote that gave Joe Biden the presidency.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.
The events came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress’ vote.
Lawmakers were resolved to complete the Electoral College tally in a display to the country, and the world, of the nation’s enduring commitment to uphold the will of the voters and the peaceful transfer of power. After the U.S. Capitol had been cleared of rioters Congress pushed through the night with tensions high and the nation’s capital on alert.
Before dawn Thursday, lawmakers finished their work, confirming Biden won the election.
Vice President Mike Pence, presiding over the joint session, announced the tally, 306-232.
One year later Rep. Jason Crow, the Aurora Democrat whose actions helping fellow lawmakers escape a pro-Donald Trump mob attack on the U.S. Capitol were immortalized in a photograph, said he wants to use the anniversary of the event to convince the country “to take concrete steps to show that we are willing to stand up and fight for American democracy.”
The congressman will be involved in unveiling three initiatives on Thursday that he hopes will lessen the partisan friction in the country while bolstering the shared interest in keeping American democracy alive. Crow will release a Democracy in Action Toolkit that will help people fight disinformation and conspiracy theories, he will issue a Democracy Day resolution and preside over testimonials by dozens of lawmakers on what they went through a year ago during the Jan. 6 riot.
