Thousands of Trump Loyalists Swarm US Capitol

Supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the US Capitol on January 6, after the president urged them in a rally speech to march toward the building in protest against the Electoral College vote count being carried out by Congress.

Many of the Trump loyalists climbed atop scaffolding outside the building, as thousands gathered below. Among them was Instagram user @sgt.mode, who recorded this footage.

Demonstrators then attacked and stormed the Capitol building, breaking through police barricades and smashing doors and windows. At least four people died during the events, including one woman who was fatally shot by a US Capitol Police (USCP) officer as she tried to break into a secured area of the building. Three others died as a result of “medical emergencies,” police said.

In a statement on January 7, USCP Chief Steven Sund said officers had responded “valiantly” in the face of "thousands of individuals involved in violent riotous actions.

“The violent attack on the US Capitol was unlike any I have ever experienced in my 30 years in law enforcement here in Washington, DC,” Sund wrote. “The USCP had a robust plan established to address anticipated First Amendment activities. But make no mistake – these mass riots were not First Amendment activities; they were criminal riotous behavior.”

Sund said the USCP was “conducting a thorough review of this incident, security planning, and policies and procedures.” Credit: @sgt.mode via Storyful