Brief US Capitol Building Evacuations Ordered Amid DC Protests During Electoral Count

Update: Officials later give the all-clear to return back to the Capitol buildings

The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, on Dec. 29, 2020. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

UPDATE: Officials told Epoch Times reporters that the all-clear was given by police. They returned back to the buildings.

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Buildings near the U.S. Capitol were evacuated on Wednesday as the Joint Session of Congress met to debate on electoral votes amid protests and rallies.

“Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat,” wrote Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) in confirming evacuations were taking place at the Cannon building. “Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today.”

Added Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.): “I’m sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this.”

“I’m in Cannon and have been evacuated,” wrote Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). “But it doesn’t matter. In less than two hours I will cast my vote rejecting” attempts by GOP lawmakers to challenge the Nov. 3 election results in battleground states.

“Thank you to Capitol Police for protecting the People’s House. Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful,” said House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Twitter.

The Epoch Times’ Jan Jekielek confirmed that some members of the media were also evacuated, adding that as of 1:55 p.m., the evacuation order appeared to be over.

Reporters showed what appeared to be President Donald Trump’s supporters and others marching to the Capitol building, storming the barricades.

Other than the Cannon House Office Building, the Madison Library of Congress Building was also evacuated, officials told Fox News.

The right-wing group Proud Boys said on social media website Parler that “patriots are storming the Capitol,” posting videos from the Capitol.