Backlash after Trump supporters stormed US Capitol building

There has been severe backlash against pro-Trump protesters who stormed the US Capitol Building – even coming from those who support the President.

Rioters managed to storm the Capitol building in Washington D.C. earlier today. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

Backlash at Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C. earlier today came from all sides of politics – including the President’s own party.

Shortly after Congress began to formally count the results from the electoral college, protesters forced their way into the building, causing the joint session to be suspended as politicians were locked into the Senate Chamber and other staffers told to shield themselves behind bulletproof chairs.

The online reaction to the scenes unfolding in the nation’s capital have been swift and strong.

CNN host and American news commentator Van Jones tweeted: “We can never let this happen again” as he shared CNN commentary on Twitter.

“This is unacceptable in America. Period,” Jones said in the video.

We need to declare that this is the END of something. We can NEVER let this happen again.

Tonight we need to hear from EVERY leader that this is unacceptable. PERIOD. pic.twitter.com/eIgdrb8c0I

— Van Jones (@VanJones68) January 6, 2021

“You have a right to be angry. You don’t have a right to break into buildings and hurt police officers,’ he said.

“We can disagree but we have to do a better job of understanding each other.”

He added: “Is this the end of something or the beginning of something?

“Let’s declare that this is the end of something. This can never happen again.

“If we’re not careful, we can talk ourselves into believing this is the beginning of something.”

Rioters stormed the Capitol Building shortly after Congress began a joint session to formally count the results from the electoral college. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

Meanwhile, GOP consultant Alyssa Farah, a Trump supporter, tweeted: “Dear MAGA, I am one of you. Before I worked for @realDonaldTrump, I worked for @MarkMeadows & @Jim_Jordan & the @freedomcaucus. I marched in the 2010 Tea Party rallies. I campaigned w/ Trump & voted for him. But I need you to hear me: the Election was NOT stolen. We lost.”

Dear MAGA- I am one of you. Before I worked for @realDonaldTrump, I worked for @MarkMeadows & @Jim_Jordan & the @freedomcaucus. I marched in the 2010 Tea Party rallies. I campaigned w/ Trump & voted for him. But I need you to hear me: the Election was NOT stolen. We lost.

— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) January 6, 2021

She also tweeted: “There were cases of fraud that should be investigated. But the legitimate margins of victory for Biden are far too wide to change the outcome. You need to know that.

I’m proud of many policy accomplishments the Trump admin had. But we must accept these results.”

There were cases of fraud that should be investigated. But the legitimate margins of victory for Biden are far too wide to change the outcome. You need to know that.

I’m proud of many policy accomplishments the Trump Admin had. But we must accept these results.

— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) January 6, 2021

The rioters breached the barricades surrounding the building and clashed with police on its steps, eventually overwhelming law enforcement and forcing their way inside.

A full lockdown was imposed before all members of Congress were evacuated.

Extra law enforcement, including the National Guard, has been deployed to help restore order. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the joint session, was also removed from the Chamber – though we later learned he never left the building.

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser quickly imposed a curfew for the city from 6pm to 6am.

Trump is accused of sending mixed messages after he told his supporters to go home, while also telling them they were ‘very special’. Picture: Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images/AFP

Extra law enforcement, including the National Guard, has been deployed to help restore order.

Mr Trump released a video message, telling his supporters to go home, however he also told them they were “very special”.

“I know your pain. I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side,” he said in the video statement from the White House.

GOP consultant Alyssa Farah, a Trump supporter, tweeted that the election was not stolen. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

“But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt.

“It’s a very tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this, where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us – from me, from you, from our country.

Trump and some of his supporters continue to say the election was “fraudulent” despite the overwhelming victory by Biden. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

“This was a fraudulent election. But we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace.

“So go home, we love you, you’re very special, you’ve seen what happens, you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home, and go home in peace.”