McConnell, other lawmakers evacuated from US Capitol after breach

By AP 6 January 2021, 9:57 pm

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves the House chamber for the Senate to consider objections to certify Electoral College votes, at the US Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool)

Lawmakers are being evacuated from the US Capitol after protesters breached security and entered the building.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other senators are led out, escorted by staff and police. Members of the House were also being evacuated. Both chambers had been debating the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College.

The skirmishes come shortly after US President Donald Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud.

Protesters can be seen marching through the Capitol’s stately Statuary Hall shouting and waving Trump banners and American flags.

Some House lawmakers tweet they are sheltering in place in their offices.