Today, as the Senate gathered to confirm the electoral college votes that would finalize the turbulent presidential election, protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an unprecedented act of lawlessness and unabashed defiance. 

By 3 p.m., the Capitol building had been breached, District police were overrun, and protestors had amassed around every entrance of the building. Scattered reports of armed standoffs, shots fired, and protesters deep inside the Capitol building are proliferating across social networks and mainstream media outlets. 

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued a curfew to try and mitigate the unrest: “During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District,” the curfew order states.

Live video streams showed several sniper teams taking up locations on top of the Capitol building. 

Blood has been spilled.

At the time of posting, the DC police has lost all control of the building. Senators still inside the building have been told to shelter in place. Vice President Mike Pence and others have been evacuated. Still, the White House is sickeningly inactive. President Trump sent two tweets, reminding his supporters to cooperate with the police and to remain peaceful. 

Pundits and politicians alike are using words like sedition, anarchy, and coup d’état to describe the chaos. Some are calling the groups patriots. Others, terrorists.

At the time of publishing, we have heard several reports of DC, Maryland, and Virginia National Guard forces being called in to quell the violence.

With sundown just an hour away and DC and Capitol police having little to no foothold, it’s very likely that this showdown will extend into the night. A massive horrific display of violence and force feels like it’s a stone’s throw away. 

We will continue to watch the situation closely and bring you the latest updates as we are able.