US protests: Massive damage after Trump army storms at Capitol Building

This is how the US Capitol was damaged after protesters smashed windows and destroyed parts of the building as they stormed inside.

Tense officers pointing guns, politicians with gas masks, camouflaged protesters smashing windows — this was the day that President Donald Trump’s bid to overturn the US election went “wild.”

Inside the great domed US Capitol building, initially out of view of the cameras, images emerged of a scene that resembled something from a coup d’etat.

Now, the National Guard are stationed outside the building with a two-metre non-scalable fence is being set up around the perimeter to stop it from happening again.

Members of the D.C. National Guard are seen outside the U.S. Capitol Building as workers construct a fence a day after a pro-Trump mob broke into the building. Picture: Getty

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia detain a person for questioning a day after a pro-Trump mob broke into the U.S. Capitol building. Picture: Getty

On Thursday, Trump supporters, waving his blue flags and wearing his red campaign hats, stormed through the building, making it right into the debating chamber.

Some climbed the walls of the building, as legislators were given gas masks to protect themselves against tear gas as they rushed to safety.

For those fleeing, it was a race against time: Protesters were getting in as quickly as members of Congress could get out. Some protesters even occupied the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sitting mockingly at a desk.

Police officers in riot gear confront protesters who are gathering at the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: AFP

Police officers wearing riot gear push back demonstrators shooting tear gas next to St. John's Episcopal Church outside of the White House. Picture: AFP

Crowds gather for the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, DC. Picture: Getty

“I’ve not seen anything like this since I deployed to Iraq,” Mike Gallagher, a Republican politician and military veteran, told CNN.

Trump had said all along he wanted to stop Congress from officially certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory on Wednesday.

There was no way he could do it legally.

Trump tried. He threatened his vice president, Mike Pence, who was meant to preside over the ceremony.

But Pence retorted that he had no constitutional leeway: The rules were clear. So Trump’s supporters intervened, at least temporarily derailing the proceedings — literally bringing democracy to a halt.

Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol. Picture: AFP

The mobs went on their mission after a final pep talk from their leader. Trump addressed them for more than an hour on the National Mall, delivering a torrent of false claims and conspiracy theories about why he should remain president despite losing the November election.

Then he encouraged them to march on Congress.

Within minutes the mob was pouring up the Capitol steps. Violent small groups then fought with police, pushing ever further and eventually getting inside.

Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building. Picture: AFP

Television footage showed men, some in military gear, smashing a window and climbing through. Other groups clambered up on the roofs of black official vehicles parked outside Congress, abandoned by their drivers.

SEE THE DAMAGE LEFT BEHIND:

The remnants of pepper spray, tear gas, and fire extinguishers dusts the area around the northern entrance to the U.S. Capitol building. Picture: AFP

Damage is seen inside the US Capitol building. Picture: AFP

Damage is seen inside the US Capitol building. Picture: AFP

Damage is seen near a breached window in the House of Representatives. Picture: AFP

Damage and debris are seen left behind by a pro-Trump mob. Picture: AFP

Damage and debris are seen left behind by a pro-Trump mob. Picture: AFP

Damage is seen on an entrance of the U.S. Capitol. Picture: Getty

Workers clean damage near an overrun Capitol Police checkpoint a day after a pro-Trump mob broke into the US Capitol. Picture: AFP

The bust of U.S. President Zachary Taylor is covered with plastic after blood was smeared on it when a pro-Trump mob broke into the U.S. Capitol building. Picture: AFP

The windows at the entrance to the Speakers Lobby are shattered from a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol. Picture: Getty

Damage and debris are seen left behind by a pro-Trump mob. Picture: Getty

Remnants of tear gas, pepper spray and fire extinguisher are seen covering a hallway at the U.S. Capitol. Picture: Getty

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE PROTEST BELOW:

Congress staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police Swat teams check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump supporters in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

A demonstrator tries to pass between a police line wearing riot gear as they push back demonstrators outside of the White House. Picture: AFP

Police officers in riot gear line up as protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

A person lies on the ground after being shot during a protest at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Picture: Getty

Capitol police officers in riot gear walk through protesters that are gathered on the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they push barricades to storm the US Capitol in Washington D.C. Picture: AFP

Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump. Picture: Getty

Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump. Picture: Getty

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington D.C. Picture: AFP

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol surrounded by tear gas in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

A man reacts from being tear gassed as Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington D.C. Picture: AFP

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol surrounded by tear gas in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

A man is seen bleeding outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Protesters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Police officers in riot gear walks towards the U.S. Picture: AFP

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

TRUMP SPEAKS TO HIS SUPPORTERS

US President Donald Trump arrives to speak to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump Jr. speaks during a rally of supporters of US President Donald Trump on The Ellipse outside of the White House. Picture: AFP

RIOTERS MOVE THROUGH THE CAPITAL BUILDING

Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol as tear gas fills the corridor on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

A police officer in riot gear is seen on the U.S. Capitol as protesters enter the building. Picture: Getty

A protester is seen inside the US Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber. Picture: Getty

Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol's Rotunda. Picture: AFP

Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol's Rotunda. Picture: AFP

Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

THE CAPITOL EVACUATED AMID BUILDING BREACH

U.S. Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalised in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. Picture: AFP

Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. Picture: Getty

A protester sits in the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Picture: Getty

Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalised in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. Picture: Getty

A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber. Picture: Getty

Protesters enter the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Picture: Getty

U.S. Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. Picture: Getty

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, wears a protective mask during a joint session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes of the 2020 presidential election in the House Chamber in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) and Vice President Mike Pence (L) convene a joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden as the next US president in the US capitol in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL BUILDING

Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

Supporters of US President Donald Trump demonstrate on the National Mall. Picture: AFP

Crowds arrive for the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, DC. Picture: Getty

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building. Picture: Getty

Originally published as US protests: Massive damage after Trump army storms at Capitol Building