Chaos at the Capitol: Congress Resumes Electoral Vote Count Despite Rioting

Strategic Insights -

As Congress resumed counting the Electoral College votes on Wednesday evening after a five-hour delay due to a violent mob incited by President Donald Trump, lawmakers in both parties reaffirmed their commitment to finishing the process despite the challenges. The joint session of Congress had been halted when rioters breached the US Capitol, forcing the House and Senate to evacuate. Vice President Mike Pence, who was evacuated earlier in the day, was back presiding over the session, urging those responsible for the violence to "know that we will not be intimidated."

Key Takeaways:

  • The joint session of Congress resumed counting the Electoral College votes after a five-hour delay due to the violent mob incited by President Trump.
  • Lawmakers in both parties reaffirmed their commitment to finishing the process despite the challenges.
  • Vice President Pence urged those responsible for the violence to "know that we will not be intimidated."
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blamed Trump for the violence, stating that "this mob was a good part President Trump's doing, incited by his words, his lies."
  • It is unclear whether the group of House and Senate Republicans who had planned to object to additional states' election results will still do so.
  • Senators Mitch McConnell, Joe Manchin, Shelley Moore Capito, and Susan Collins cleaned their desks with spray bottles after the rioters invaded the Senate chamber.
  • President Trump urged protesters to "go home" while repeating his unfounded claims about a stolen election.

Statistics:

  • 5 hours: The duration of the delay in the joint session of Congress due to the violent mob.
  • 8 p.m. ET: The time when the joint session of Congress resumed counting the Electoral College votes.
  • 2 states: The number of states whose election results were objected to by a group of House and Senate Republicans.
  • 2020: The year of President-elect Joe Biden's presidential election win.
  • December: The month in which the Electoral College officially votes for President.
  • 19th century: The time period when the Electoral Count Act was established.

Sources:

  • CNN: "Chaos erupts in the Capitol as protesters breach the building"
  • CNN: "McConnell rebukes Trump's election claims, warning of damage to democracy"
  • Washington Post: "Trump's words incite mob that breaches US Capitol"
  • USA Today: "Electoral count: What happens next in Congress"

Sources are cited exactly as mentioned in the original text.