Tag: Capitol

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Politics

Lady Shot in Capitol Has Died

Woman Shot in Capitol Has Died

A woman who was fatally shot in the Capitol after being overrun by a pro-Trump mob was shot down by a Capitol police officer, a police officer said Wednesday night.

Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert J. Contee told reporters that the woman was shot dead by a police officer on Wednesday afternoon when plainclothes police were confronted with the mob. She later died in a hospital, he said, and the shooting is being investigated.

At least 14 Capitol police officers were injured during Wednesday’s demonstrations, Chief Contee said, including two who were hospitalized.

A video posted on Twitter Wednesday showed a shooting in the Capitol.

The woman in the video appeared to be climbing onto a small ledge next to a door in the building just before a single loud bang was heard. The woman, wrapped in a flag, fell to the floor at the top of a stairwell. A man with a helmet and a military style rifle stood next to her after she fell, and they called “police” when a man in a suit approached the woman and crouched next to her.

“Where did she meet?” People screamed as blood flowed around their mouths.

Chief Contee said three more deaths were reported from the Capitol area on Wednesday – one woman and two men. He said, without elaborating, that the three people appear to have “suffered from separate medical emergencies that resulted in their deaths.”

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Business

‘Homicide the Media:” How The Information Media Grew to become a Goal on Capitol Hill

'Murder the Media:" How The News Media Became a Target on Capitol Hill

MSNBC anchor Yasmin Vossoughian said in the air outside the Capitol that she and her team wore clothing that did not bear MSNBC or NBC insignia. “We knew there could be setbacks and hostility towards us,” she said, “because, as you know, the president is always talking about the fake news media and telling people not to trust the media.”

Economy & Economy

Updated

Jan. 6, 2021, 1:10 p.m. ET

Flanked by two security guards later that day, she said she had “really interesting engagements” with some protesters, even though others pestered her with foul language.

President Trump and his allies have fanned the flames of anti-media sentiment and consistently referred to news networks as “the enemy of the people”. During an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday, former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin described the day’s events as “chaos”, adding that “much of it is the media’s fault”.

Joel Simon, executive director of the journalists’ protection committee, said in a statement Wednesday that journalists in Washington had been intimidated while facing the possibility of escalating attacks. “Journalists and news teams reporting on these events, which are of the greatest public concern, must be able to do so freely and safely, with the support and protection of law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Zoeann Murphy, a video journalist for the Washington Post, announced on Twitter that she and a colleague had been arrested by police after the 6 p.m. curfew for filming protests outside the Capitol but were quickly released.

Journalists covering the vote count in the Capitol sought refuge from the violent protesters who had crept in. Haley Talbot, an NBC producer, fled to a congressional office with five other reporters. She called the MSNBC broadcast earlier describing a “dire situation” in which she and others had to grab gas masks while avoiding those knocking on the glass door of the chamber of the house.

The threats and attacks were not limited to Washington. The Canadian outlet CTV News reported that a photographer from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was slapped in the face by Trump supporters at a small rally in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sara Gentzler, a reporter for The Olympian in Washington state, wrote on Twitter that she and another journalist had been approached by an armed man at a protest in Olympia, Washington, who told them the news media was not welcome . He added that he had previously sprayed other reporters with pepper spray and said he would kill them and other journalists “next year”.

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Business

Flight attendant unions elevate alarms about disruptive vacationers after pro-Trump riots at Capitol

Flight attendant unions raise alarms about disruptive travelers after pro-Trump riots at Capitol

A flight attendant collects trash on a flight aboard a Boeing 737 Max from Dallas Fort Worth Airport to Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 2, 2020.

Carlo Allegri | Reuters

The country’s largest flight attendant unions on Wednesday raised security concerns over politically motivated flight disruptions after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and demanded that the presidential election results be overturned.

The union’s comments came after at least two disruptions on board flights to Washington, DC, including a Delta Air Lines flight with Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney that saw some passengers singing “traitors.” Delta said it was aware of the incident and that “our crew quickly resolved and resolved the problem”. A spokeswoman for the senator did not comment.

“The mob mentality behavior that took place on multiple flights to the DC area yesterday was unacceptable and threatened the safety of every single person on board,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents approximately 50,000 cabin crew members United, Alaska, and more than a dozen other airlines.

The unrest in the Capitol is another concern [participants’] Departure from the DC area, “said Nelson.” Actions against our democracy, our government and the freedom we claim as Americans must exclude these people from freedom of escape. “

On an American Airlines flight to Dulles International Airport earlier this week, passengers shouted and cursed each other, forcing the flight attendant to turn on dimmed cabin lights and order passengers to their seats. This is evident from a video shared by Twitter user @ MaranieRae who said she was on the flight.

Americans are reviewing the incident, said spokesman Curtis Blessing. “We welcome our excellent crew members for their professionalism in de-escalating a tense situation on board and bringing our customers safely to their destination,” he said.

Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American Airlines’ more than 25,000 flight attendants, said in a statement that the union “is incredibly concerned about the recent politically motivated incidents on board passenger aircraft.

“Regardless of political belief, the cabin of an airliner must necessarily be a quiet environment for the safety of everyone on board,” she said.

Cabin crew unions did not demand tolerance for such incidents. Interfering with the duties of a flight crew member is illegal and stubborn passengers can be fined $ 25,000.

The airlines said they are taking various precautions to protect employees, including moving flight crews to airport hotels to avoid locations in central Washington DC

American Airlines also doesn’t sell alcohol on board flights to and from Washington DC and has increased staff at airports in DC, US spokesman Blessing said.

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Business

TV Networks Shift From Protection of Electoral Tally to Storming of Capitol

TV Networks Shift From Coverage of Electoral Tally to Storming of Capitol

He concluded by saying that those who did not understand the concerns of the people who stormed the Capitol were stupid. “We have this sad, chaotic day for a reason,” he said. “It’s not your fault. It’s your fault.”

Right-wing figures who helped fuel a movement based on misinformation and conspiracy theories have been reluctant to hold Mr Trump responsible for the violent actions of his supporters. On Newsmax, a conservative network aimed at Trump partisans – and whose most popular host, Greg Kelly, has baselessly insisted that Mr Trump can still win the election – commentators instead tried to denounce the mainstream media.

On Wednesday, Mr Kelly echoed other Trump allies, including Fox News star Laura Ingraham, when he spread an unfounded rumor that radical left protesters were responsible for the actions of the pro-Trump mob. The idea that Trump supporters were impeccable also surfaced on Mr. Carlson’s show when a guest, Drew Hernandez, said that “antifa insurgents may have infiltrated some of these movements”. Another Fox News personality, Brit Hume, wrote on Twitter: “Don’t be surprised if we learn in the coming days that the Trump rioters have been infiltrated by left-wing extremists.”

The previous Wednesday, Fox News and Newsmax, along with Fox Business, fully broadcast Mr Trump’s brand-new, falsehood speech, including when he urged his followers to march down Pennsylvania Avenue. (The other cable news networks didn’t air the president’s speech.) After the Capitol rampage, Bernard Kerik, a former New York police superintendent and felon pardoned by Mr. Trump, alleged that journalists “acted this way” was an armed takeover of the Capitol and that’s nonsense. “

Despite extensive footage of the uprising, he added, “You have six to ten people entering the building. OK take care of it. “

In quiet times, Congressional College Election Certificate is the type of rudimentary government business that is typically relegated to C-SPAN. Even before the mob went to the Capitol, the networks were prepared for a marathon day with up-to-the-minute coverage in Washington as President Trump’s allies in the House and Senate planned a final attempt to undermine the election results.

The joint session of Congress began at 1:00 p.m., with most of the networks continuously fed from the House and Senate floors. Wolf Blitzer broke into CNN shortly after 2 p.m. with a report that “protesters are becoming assertive” as the mob approached the Capitol.

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Politics

Trump Cupboard officers condemn Capitol riots, however keep away from criticizing the president

Trump Cabinet officials condemn Capitol riots, but avoid criticizing the president

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Vice President Mike Pence listen as President Donald Trump speaks about the government shutdown on January 25, 2019 in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. – Trump says he will sign a government reopening bill by February 15.

Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images

WASHINGTON – Members of President Donald Trump’s 23-member cabinet on Wednesday issued sharp reprimands against violence in the nation’s Capitol, forcing lawmakers to halt the process of declaring Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.

However, officials stopped criticizing the president, who urged his supporters to take action.

Trump had encouraged thousands of supporters during a rally outside the White House to march to the Capitol to protest the historically ceremonial procedures. Trump returned to the White House after his speech and later said in a tweet video to supporters, “You have to go home now.”

“This was a fraudulent choice … but you have to go home,” Trump said, telling the protesters, “We love you. You are very special” before finishing his remarks.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the storming of the US Capitol as “unacceptable”.

“Lawlessness and unrest – here or around the world – are always unacceptable,” wrote the nation’s top diplomat.

“Let us quickly bring justice to the criminals involved in this unrest,” wrote Pompeo, adding, “America is better than what we saw today.”

Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen wrote in a statement: “The violence against our nation’s Capitol is an intolerable attack on a fundamental institution of our democracy.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Justice Department had dispatched hundreds of law enforcement officers and agents from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the US Marshals Service to quell protests.

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia called the unrest “a low point in the history of American democracy”.

Acting Secretary of the Homeland Security Department, Chad Wolf, also condemned the violent pamphlet that “no one has the right to attack a federal institution regardless of their motivation.”

He added that those involved in the riot should be held accountable for their actions.

The Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, also participated in calls for an end to violence in Washington.

“End this violence now. Violence is never an appropriate response, regardless of legitimate concern. Please remember, if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand,” Carson wrote.

Minister of Health and Human Services Alex Azar wrote that he was “disgusted” by the violence in the US Capitol.

“Physical violence and the desecration of this sacred symbol of our democracy must come to an end,” added Azar.

“Most importantly, you are all safe. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones,” wrote Azar in a subsequent tweet.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wrote: “Violence is always unacceptable. We must respect our constitution and our democratic process.”

Similarly, Trade Secretary Wilbur Ross wrote on Twitter that “violence is never the right solution”.

“The eyes of American children and students – the emerging generation who will inherit the republic we are leaving – are watching what goes on in Washington today,” wrote Elisabeth DeVos, Trump’s Secretary of Education, adding, “we need to give them a better one.” Give an example. “

“The disruption and violence must end, the law must be obeyed, and the work of the people must continue,” wrote DeVos.

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Politics

Pence, Lawmakers Evacuated as Mob Storms Capitol Halting Listening to

Pence, Lawmakers Evacuated as Mob Storms Capitol Halting Hearing

A lot of people loyal to President Trump stormed the Capitol on Wednesday and halted the election counting by Congress to confirm the victory of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. when police called on lawmakers on a scene of the Violence and chaos evacuated from the building and disruptions that shook the very core of American democracy.

Around 2:15 p.m., when the House and Senate were debating a move by a Republican faction to overturn the election results, Security Officer Vice President Mike Pence rushed out of the Senate Chamber and the Capitol was locked down past barricades and protesters after angry pro-Trump protesters Law enforcement agencies towards the legislative chambers.

For a time, senators and members of the House were locked in their respective chambers. Images posted on social media showed scenes of supporters fighting violently with the police when at least one person stepped onto the podium in the Chamber of the House to declare support for Mr Trump.

A woman who appeared to be part of the mob is shot in the neck and is in critical condition.

“You got this, guys,” yelled Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney as the chaos unfolded in the Senate Chamber, apparently turning to his indictment colleagues on Mr. Trump’s false allegations of a stolen election to press .

“This is what the President caused today, this riot,” said Mr Romney angrily later.

The riots prompted Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington to impose a curfew on the entire city from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning at 6:00 p.m. The Army activates the entire District of Columbia National Guard – 1,100 soldiers – at the request of Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, an Army official said Wednesday.

After Mr Trump admonished his supporters to go to the Capitol on Wednesday morning to register their dissatisfaction, he attempted to contain the violence later that day: “Please support our Capitol police and law enforcement,” he wrote on Twitter. “You are really on our country’s side. Stay peaceful! “

As the clashes deepened, he made no mention of the election and did not urge his supporters to disperse. Instead, he tweeted, “I ask everyone at the US Capitol to stay peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are law and order – respect the law and our great men and women in blue. “

The extraordinary day in Washington sparked deep divisions, both between the parties and within the Republican ranks, as the ceremonial vote count, which takes place every four years in Congress, became an explosive spectacle and Mr. Trump stirred up unrest.

Democratic lawmakers said the Capitol Police ordered them to hide on the ground and prepare to use gas masks after tear gas was distributed in the Capitol rotunda.

Across the Capitol, Democrat of Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen called out to Republicans on the floor of the House, “Call Trump, tell him to cancel his revolutionary watch.”

In a scene of riot common in other countries but seldom seen in the history of the U.S. capital, hundreds of people in the crowd sped past the fence barricades outside the Capitol and clashed with officers. Screaming protesters mobbed the lobby on the second floor directly in front of the Senate Chamber when police officers stood in front of the chamber doors.

Several lawmakers reported that Capitol Police ordered them to hide on the floor of the house and prepare to use gas masks after tear gas was distributed in the Capitol’s Capitol rotunda. Shortly after, police escorted Senators and members of the House from the building to others nearby as the mob flooded the hallways with pro-Trump paraphernalia just steps from where lawmakers met.

Representative Nancy Mace, a newly minted Republican from South Carolina, described how people “attack the Capitol Police.” On a Twitter post, Ms. Mace shared a video of the chaos and wrote, “This is wrong. This is not who we are. I am heartbroken for our nation today. “

Other Republican lawmakers trapped in the Capitol used Twitter to urge the mob to be peaceful.

“This is an attempted coup,” said Illinois Republican Adam Kinzinger.

In the early afternoon, the police apparently fired lightning grenades. Instead of dispersing, the demonstrators cheered and shouted: “Push forward, push forward.” One person shouted, “This is our house,” which means “Capitol”. Other people repeatedly shouted, “You took an oath.”

When officers and mob members clashed outside, lawmakers had debated an objection to the certification of Arizona voters who were located in their respective chambers. Kentucky Republican Senator and majority leader Mitch McConnell warned of a “death spiral” for democracy, while Ohio Republican Representative Jim Jordan listed a litany of electoral fraud allegations with little evidence.

“I do not recognize our country today, and the members of Congress who supported this anarchy do not deserve to represent their fellow Americans,” said Elaine Luria, Democrat of Virginia.

Kevin McCarthy, the House’s top Republican, urged people to be peaceful.

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World News

Protests at Oregon State Capitol Over Virus Restrictions

Protests at Oregon State Capitol Over Virus Restrictions

Armed protesters who tried to force their way into the Oregon state capitol on Monday were met by officials in riot gear as lawmakers rallied for a one-day special session amid tensions over coronavirus restrictions in the state mounted.

Oregon State Police declared the protest, which included dozens of people, an illegal gathering, and officials fired pepperballs to evict the crowd from the Salem Capitol. Police arrested at least two people, including one who authorities said used bear spray on officers. Later, some in the crowd broke windows at an entrance to the Capitol.

Many in the crowd, including people from far-right groups, wore guns, wore body armor, or held flags in support of President Trump.

Governor Kate Brown had convened a one-day special session of lawmakers to discuss issues related to the pandemic, including facilities for landlords and tenants and funding for vaccine distribution, as well as efforts to deal with the state’s devastating forest fire season.

The protesters opposed the restrictions imposed by Ms. Brown to limit the spread of the coronavirus and shouted about its impact on workplaces and schools. “Arrest Kate Brown,” sang the mob of officers. One person carried a sign that read, “Politicians are the virus, revolution is the cure.”

Riot officers with batons, some wearing gas masks, later moved in large numbers to push protesters out of an entrance to the Capitol. Many in the crowd shouted that they had supported police officers for a long time, including back the blue rallies, but would no longer support them.

Oregon’s coronavirus infection numbers are at the peak of the pandemic. By order of the governor, many counties are subject to mandatory restrictions, such as bans on eating indoors in restaurants.