Washington D.C. riot photos reveal American democracy’s darkest day

Sombre images are emerging of the shattered windows and broken property left behind after anarchy tore through the halls of Congress.

Staff were left to pick up the pieces the day after an extraordinary assault on the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Picture: Nicholas Kamm / AFP)

Sombre images are emerging of the shattered windows and broken property left behind after anarchy tore through the halls of Congress.

Workers were seen inspecting the damage at the US Capitol after Trump supporters broke into the building on Wednesday local time and rampaged through the seat of US democracy.

Americans were glued to their television screens – along with much of the rest of the world – as a wild mob descended upon the Capitol in a bid to overthrow the results of the November 3 election.

Members of US Capitol Police inspect a damaged entrance of the building on January 71 in Washington, DC. Picture: Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP

A television crew films damage in a hallway of the Capitol a day after supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the building. Picture: Nicholas Kamm / AFP)

Overturned furniture and broken glass litter a hallway on Capitol Hill following the extraordinary riots. Picture: Nicholas Kamm/ AFP

They battered down doors and vandalised the building in an effort to prevent President-elect Joe Biden’s win from being certified as a joint session of Congress met for the electoral college vote count.

Instead, blood was shed and a female Trump supporter was shot dead as she joined the rioters battling to disrupt the proceedings. Three others — a woman and two men — died in the area after “medical emergencies” as thousands tried to disrupt proceedings.

After an evacuation described as “frightening” by the staff and politicians caught up in the chaos Congress reconvened and affirmed Mr Biden’s victory, but workers were left picking up the pieces as security officers patrolled to guard against further disruption before the transition to a new administration is completed on January 20.

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Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP

A man is seen bleeding during the brutal protests. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AF

Commentators say they haven’t witnessed scenes like today since the Vietnam War. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of Donald Trump gather in front of the Capitol Building. Picture: Reuters/Leah Millis

Joe Biden addressed the nation calling for calm earlier in the day. Picture: Twitter

Protesters vowed to not back down. Picture: Twitter

Washington D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser rushed in a 6pm citywide curfew in response to the emergency, with those breaching the rule risking arrest.

Two pipe bombs and a cooler filled with Molotov cocktails were discovered by police in the area.

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Demonstrations inspired by those in the nation’s capital have also popped up across the rest of the country. Picture: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

Donald Trump urged supporters to ‘go home’ – but also told them he loved them. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

There are 14 days remaining of Trump’s presidency. Picture: Samuel Corum/Getty Images/AFP

Global leaders have condemned today’s riots. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

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The crisis, which was compared to a “civil war” by CNN anchors, saw politicians and staffers forced to seek shelter under their desks and a Trump supporter taking over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s personal office.

This is Nancy Pelosi’s desk. pic.twitter.com/dFZGTn66Xp

— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) January 6, 2021

The Capitol at dusk. Photo by @LeahMillis pic.twitter.com/MSzdmTKnMs

— corinne_perkins (@corinne_perkins) January 6, 2021

Ambulances were seen assisting on the scene, with police officers also believed to have been injured during clashes with demonstrators.

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A woman was shot dead in today’s chaos. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Protesters who breach the 6pm curfew risk arrest. Picture: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

There are fears violence could escalate overnight. Picture: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

The National Guard was called in to assist by Vice President Mike Pence, and US President Donald Trump called for his supporters to “go home” in a minute-long video posted from the White House – although the bizarre message was also slammed for sending mixed messages, with the President also calling his election defeat fraudulent, and tells the protesters, “We love you,” and “You’re very special.”

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Supporters breached the US Capitol on Thursday morning Australian time. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

MAGA supporters enter the Senate Chamber. Picture: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

The riots won’t stop Joe Biden from being sworn in later this month. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

The riots marked one of the darkest days in American democracy. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

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“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.

With 14 days of Trump’s presidency remaining, there are concerns the violence could escalate further, prompting fresh impeachment calls.