January 6 2021 timeline: What happened at the Capitol Riots?
ON WEDNESDAY, January 6, 2021, a group of self-proclaimed Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol in protest of Joe Biden's electoral win.
Here's everything we know about the insurrection at the Capitol.
January 6 2021 timeline: What happened at the Capitol Riots?
12:00 pm
Former President Donald Trump speaks to his supporters at a rally in the vicinity of the White House in Washington, DC.
"We will never give up. We will never concede," said Trump.
"Mike Pence, I hope you're going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country," he continued.
"And if you're not, I'm going to be very disappointed in you."
After the speech ends, crowds begin to gather at the steps of the United States Capitol building.
Former Vice President Mike Pence shares a letter on his social media accounts.
"My oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not," said Pence.
1:00 pm
Protesters begin to storm the police barrier surrounding the Capitol building.
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Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, calls a joint session of Congress into order.
Meanwhile, Trump finishes up his speech, adding: "We're going to the Capitol. We're going to try and give them [Republicans] the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country."
The Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona stands to object the electoral votes from his state.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas joins in his objection.
Both parties of Congress split into separate rooms of the Capitol to discuss the objection.
Protesters outside of the Capitol break through the final police barricade around 1:30 pm.
Packages found outside of the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters in DC are later identified as pipe bombs.
2:00 pm
Protesters officially break into the Capitol building, smashing windows and opening doors for others to enter.
Secret Service begins to remove politicians from the Senate and House floors.
The Senate and House are called into recess around 2:20 pm, and the building goes into lockdown.
"Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution," said Trump on Twitter.
Rioters inside the Capitol continue around 2:40 pm, regardless of Trump urging them to "stay peaceful."
"We were just told that there has been tear gas in the rotunda, and we're being instructed to each of us get gas masks that are under our seats," said Vermont Rep. Peter Welch on Twitter.
3:00 pm
Rioters officially break into the Senate chamber, many posting selfies and videos from the inside.
Others break into offices in the Capitol building, destroying property.
"Mr. President [Trump], you have got to stop this. You are the only person who can call this off. Call it off," said Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher on Twitter.
"The election is over. Call it off."
Lawmakers locked down in the Speaker's Lobby are swarmed with rioters trying to break in, chanting: "Break it down."
Rioter Ashli Babbitt is shot by a Capitol police officer as she attempts to climb through the Lobby's doors.
Babbitt later died from her injuries.
The National Guard is ordered to the Capitol by Trump around 3:36 pm.
4:00 pm
President Joe Biden addresses the nation.
"I call on President Trump to go on national television now, to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege," said Biden.
"This is not a protest, it is an insurrection."
Trump addresses his supporters via Twitter.
"I know your pain, I know your hurt," said Trump.
"We love you, you're very special, you've seen what happens, you've seen the way others are treated … I know how you feel, but go home, and go home in peace."
6:00 pm
The mayor of Washington DC, Muriel Bowser, places the city on a 12-hour lockdown.
Trump once again takes to Twitter, writing: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long.
"Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"
7:00 pm
Social media sites begin removing Trump's posts from the day.
After removing a video and another post, Facebook writes: "…we removed from Facebook and Instagram the recent video of President Trump speaking about the protests and his subsequent post about the election results.
"We made the decision that on balance these posts contribute to, rather than diminish, the risk of ongoing violence."
Trump is later banned from Facebook.
Twitter removes Trump's tweets from the day and later suspends his account.
The Republican National Committee condemn the riot at the Capitol via a press release at 7:54 pm.
8:00 pm
The Senate is called back into session by Mike Pence.
"Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol… Let's get back to work," said Pence.
"The United States Senate will not be intimidated," said Mitch McConnell.
"We will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats."
9:00 pm
The House is called back into session by Nancy Pelosi.
"We always knew this would take well into the night and we will stay as long as it takes," said Pelosi.
"Our purpose will be accomplished."
11:00 pm
The House and Senate resume their joint session around 11:30 pm.
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3:42 am on January 7, 2021
"The announcement of the state of the vote by the president of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States," said Pence.
Joe Biden is officially confirmed as winning the election, and is declared the 46th President of the United States.