Posted January 6, 2021 at 2:22pm, Updated at 10:40pm
Wednesday’s debate over the certification of the Electoral College votes was halted when pro-Trump rioters broke into the Capitol.
Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, told CNN’s Dana Bash he never thought he’d be in a situation like this one on the Hill.
“My friend [Rep.] Susan [Wild], of course, a dear friend, I wanted to make sure we were comforting each other,” the Colorado Democrat said, adding that he was in the chamber gallery with other members watching the debate below on the House floor when the mob stormed the building.
“The police weren’t able to get us out. So they actually closed and locked the doors and they started to take furniture and barricade the doors and the windows … as the mob tried to ram them down,” Crow told CNN. “The police had their guns out and were prepared to defend us on the House floor.”
Before the incident, the certification kicked off with a procession of the ballot boxes to the House chamber, while President Donald Trump and his supporters rallied just outside the White House.
Here’s a look at one unforgettable day in Washington, as seen by CQ Roll Call’s photojournalists:
Fire trucks line Independence Avenue as the Capitol remained under lockdown. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
U.S. National Guard officers take the Senate subway with the Capitol in lockdown. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
The pro-Trump mob attempts to enter the Capitol at the House steps. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A Capitol Police officer maces a rioter who broke through a window on the first floor of the Capitol. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean and other members take cover after the debate proceedings were halted. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A U.S. Capitol Police officer is treated for injuries on the first floor of the Capitol. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Security barricades the door of the House chamber from the rioters. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Reps. Diana DeGette of Colorado, center, and Veronica Escobar ofTexas, right, take cover amid the disruption. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
California Rep. Lou Correa and other members take cover as rioters overrun the Capitol. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Trump supporters stand on a U.S. Capitol Police armored vehicle while others take over the steps of the Capitol, as Congress worked to certify the Electoral College votes. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
The pro-Trump mob takes over the steps of the Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Chamber assistants carry Electoral College ballot boxes during the joint session. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from the Ellipse at the White House. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Vice President Mike Pence makes his way to the House floor for the joint session. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Trump supporters gather on the National Mall near the Washington Monument for the president’s speech. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
The Naked Cowboy poses for photos on the National Mall surrounded by other supporters of the president. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
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