A week after an unruly mob incited by President Trump laid siege to the U.S. Capitol, broken glas…

A week after an unruly mob incited by President TrumpDonald TrumpGrowing number of GOP lawmakers say they support impeachmentYouTube temporarily bars uploading of new content on Trump’s channelHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove TrumpMORE laid siege to the U.S. Capitol, broken glass panes are under repair, the debris has been swept away and new security fences intended to thwart another insurrection have been erected.
Inside the Capitol, nerves are shot, tensions are high and questions are swirling over systemic failures that allowed thousands of rioters, some of whom were armed, to get into what was supposed to be one of the most well-guarded buildings in America.
Investigations are ongoing. A nationwide hunt for the rioters and looters who stormed the building has resulted in dozens of arrests. The top security officials on Capitol Hill have resigned in the wake of their performance, just days before a presidential inauguration will once again put the seat of democracy in the spotlight. And members, their staff and the Capitol community are only beginning to come to grips with the ordeals they endured.
This detailed account is based on interviews with more than a dozen members of Congress, congressional and White House staff, reporters who covered the assault and a governor who deployed law enforcement to retake the building. It is based on detailed reviews of video and audio recordings taken throughout the day, retrospective interviews, and contemporaneous text messages shared between lawmakers.
How do we get in? You dont
Democrats were in a celebratory mood Wednesday morning. The days joint session of Congress would mark the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes that would send Joe BidenJoe BidenGrowing number of GOP lawmakers say they support impeachmentHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove TrumpDisney, Walmart say they will block donations to lawmakers who objected to Electoral College resultsMORE to the White House, and the night before, Democrats had recaptured control of the Senate in two Georgia runoff elections.
I was excited about the news about Georgia. I actually brought in a bottle of champagne, and Id been coordinating with [Rep.] Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) from my class whos the Georgia Democratic Party chair on when we were going to come over and drink some champagne to celebrate the big win, said Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.). 
We had just come off of the Georgia Senate races, and I was up most of the night watching the returns there, said Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.). It was a good morning. But we were turning around and getting ready to defend Georgias Electoral College votes.
As they began arriving, Capitol Hill veterans found protesters had already begun to gather.
As I was pulling into the complex, I could see protesters already around the Capitol and the Capitol grounds, said Mike Henry, chief of staff to Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael Kaine7 surprise moments from a tumultuous year in politicsRobert E. Lee statue removed from US CapitolSen. Alexander plays Christmas carols in Senate office buildingMORE (D-Va.). This community in general understands protests. Leading up to it, we all thought this one was going to be rougher than a normal protest.
In front of the White House, protesters began gathering before dawn, arriving on packed buses and swarming the Metro hours before Trump was to speak.
Rep. Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithHouse chairman: Biden Pentagon pick ‘shares my commitment to civilian control of the military’OVERNIGHT ENERGY: To environmentalists, low interest in ANWR sales a failure for Trump | Record broken for number of billion-dollar US weather and climate disasters in 2020 | Green groups sue over Forest Service rule weakening environmental reviewRecord broken for number of billion-dollar US weather and climate disasters in 2020MORE (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had already been in touch with Army Secretary Ryan McCarthyRyan McCarthyBarrett among six top Air Force officials to step downDirector of Army Staff disputes Capitol Police chief account of National Guard deploymentOvernight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops’ role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nomineeMORE about Washington Mayor Muriel BowserMuriel BowserThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump’s first public event since Twitter banLawmakers briefed on ‘horrifying,’ ‘chilling’ security threats ahead of inaugurationThe Hill’s Morning Report – House to impeach Trump on WednesdayMOREs (D) request to deploy National Guard troops to handle what could be an unruly crowd. But when he took his morning stroll around the Capitol complex, he recalled rising concern over the preparations he saw or didnt see.
I went for a walk around the Capitol, and I was observing the various people milling about and moving towards the rally, Smith said. The barriers were not necessarily sufficient. There werent that many Capitol Police out there, and I was worried about, if they come to the Capitol, whats going to happen?
I was walking up and down a hill at the Capitol, and as I came around and made a turn by one of the barricades, one of the Trump people was standing there and called my attention. He said, Hey, how do we get in here? And I said, you dont, Smith said.
Whose house? Our house
Sen. Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranElectoral College fight splits GOP as opposition grows to election challengeHillicon Valley: Texas, other states bring antitrust lawsuit against Google | Krebs emphasizes security of the election as senators butt heads | Twitter cracks down on coronavirus vaccine misinformationSenate Republicans once again ignore the unemployedMOREs (R-Kan.) office welcomed interns for their second day of work. They had been asked to come in to handle what Morans staff expected to be a busy day of calls from constituents who wanted to know whether Moran would object to the certification of Electoral College votes.
Wed experienced significant calls Monday and Tuesday. We knew there was going to be so many folks calling in asking about the various different questions of what we were actually doing on Wednesday, said Tom Brandt, Morans spokesman.
By 11 a.m., the first speakers began addressing the pro-Trump rally in front of the Ellipse. They excoriated the planned proceedings on Capitol Hill, and many urged the presidents supporters to continue the fight. But the few protesters milling around Capitol Hill seemed calm.
I was even talking to my staff about maybe going out into the crowd and recording a video, sort of saying were not going to let this group of people distract us. I was feeling that level of confidence in the security parameters, said Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.).
At 11:54 a.m., Donald Trump Jr. posted a video to Facebook, showing his father watching the rally on television. The president began a stem-winding speech, railing against the election he had lost and the members of Congress who would ratify that loss. Even before Trump finished speaking, some in the crowd began marching down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, toward the Capitol.
Whose house? Our house! chanted the protesters.
In the Russell Senate Office Building, Kaine laid his phone on his desk. 
He said to me, Hey, I dont think Im gong to bring my phone. I really think I should pay attention to what everyones going to say, Henry said. In hindsight, I wish hed had his phone.
I lost track of him on the most important day when I cant lose track of him, and it was just because of this weird decision that he wanted to listen to everyones speech, Henry said. 
Hold my backpack
By 12:49 p.m., law enforcement officers had found a suspicious package a pipe bomb behind the headquarters of the Republican National Committee. They found a similar device at the Democratic National Committee headquarters a few blocks away. 
In the Senate chamber, Secret Service agents began whispering into their radios.
We saw some Secret Service moving around. Nothing abnormal. When the vice presidents in the building, thats very standard, Brandt said.
Four minutes later, the protests turned violent for the first time. A mob of Trump supporters sporting MAGA hats began shouting at and grappling with the few Capitol Police officers stationed at a barrier on the northwest side of the complex.
IMPORTANT: this is exact moment the siege of the Capitol building began as the two men in front ripped down a preliminary barrier & rushed officers who were behind a 2nd barrier
They then encouraged others to follow their lead. Officers appeared to be taken completely off guard pic.twitter.com/LE0a01PXBi
ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021
Hold my backpack, a young protester says. He flips his cap around as he screams at a Capitol Police officer before the crowd rushes the fence. 
Arriving a few hours later, Niall Stanage, an editor at The Hill, was struck by the size of the crowd. Even from my vantage point, just on one side of the Capitol, there were several thousand, he wrote.
The number of rioters far exceeded the number of police
Shortly after 1 p.m., as senators filed into the House chamber for a joint session, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove TrumpTrump told Pence he could be a ‘patriot’ or ‘p—-‘ when overseeing election vote: report Pelosi names 9 impeachment managersMORE (D-Calif.) showed a flash of irritation.
Lets go, lets just start, she said, standing next to Vice President Pence. Pelosi hammered the gavel. In the gallery above, a few dozen members had gathered to watch the session, with growing unease.
We were actually watching on our phones, streaming in real time as we were watching the debate, the riot clash with the police. It struck me that the number of rioters far exceeded the number of police. I questioned in my mind whether or not the police would be able to hold the barricades, said Rep. Jason CrowJason CrowOvernight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops’ role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nomineeDuckworth demands Pentagon investigate whether troops participated in Capitol riots25 domestic terrorism investigations opened after assault on CapitolMORE (D-Colo.).
Trump, wrapping up his rambling remarks, urged his supporters to march down the street.
After this, were going to walk down there, and Ill be there with you, were going to walk down to the Capitol and we are going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, said Trump, who then returned to the safety of the White House.
© Greg Nash
At 1:15 p.m., an increasingly violent clash between rioters and police broke out closer to the Capitol itself. Both police and rioters sprayed each other with chemical irritants, according to videos published online. 
We backed you guys this summer, when the whole country hated you we had your back, a rioter in a red beanie yelled at officers.
Fuck the blue, another shouted.
At 1:26 p.m., the first alerts went out by text message: The Madison Building at the Library of Congress had been evacuated. Soon, the Cannon House Office Building was being evacuated. Some of those being guided out of the building decided to seek safety in the Capitol itself.
The first security alert I remember is that they had to evacuate Cannon. So some of my colleagues were saying were going over to the House gallery and sit there for a while and watch things since we have to evacuate, Bourdeaux said. 
My family started texting me, Jacobs said. I kept telling my parents its OK, Im in the House gallery, the House floor, Im probably in the safest place I could be because this is where everyone knows they need to protect us.
The most important vote Ive ever cast
Almost at the same moment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove TrumpTrump, House GOP relationship suddenly deterioratesKinzinger says he’ll vote to impeach TrumpMORE (R-Ky.) stood at his desk on the floor. After months of failed legal challenges, Trumps path to a second term was definitively closed, and McConnell was about to give what hed described as the most important address of his career.
Were debating a step that has never been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election. Ive served 36 years in the Senate. This will be the most important vote Ive ever cast, McConnell said. I will vote to respect the peoples decision and defend our system of government as we know it.
Sen. Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenTrump administration finalizes rollback of migratory bird protectionsDavid Sirota: Democrats gave away leverage in forcing vote on ,000 checksHawley to challenge Electoral College results in SenateMORE (D-Md.) missed McConnells speech and was prevented from returning to the Capitol by police. 
I headed to my Senate office in part because I wanted to pick up a couple notes that I had left because I was scheduled to speak on the tail end of the Arizona section of the floor debate, Van Hollen said. I was headed back over to the Capitol when one of the guards stopped us and said, Senator, you cant go down there. Were going on lockdown.
Van Hollen went back to his office in the Hart building, steps away from a Capitol Police security desk. Rioters never attempted to breach the Senate office buildings.
Minutes later, the first rioters reached Statuary Hall. Outside, the calls to violence became more intense.
The people in this house, who stole this election from us, hanging from a gallow out here in this lawn for the whole world to see, so it never happens again, said a man who called himself Joe, in audio captured by an NPR reporter. Thats what needs to happen. Four by four by four, hanging from a rope out here, for treason!
Yeah, were going to need help
Mayor Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. curfew at 1:40 p.m. She had already begun asking for help from the National Guard.
Nine minutes later, Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund requested immediate assistance from the Guard.
In his office in the Rayburn House Office Building, Armed Services Committee Chairman Smith began making his own calls to the Pentagon.
I got on the phone and called [Army Secretary Ryan] McCarthy and [Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark] Milley and [Defense] Secretary [Christopher] Miller to say ‘yeah, were going to need help,’ Smith said.
More rioters poured into the Capitol complex, this time from the northeast. By 2:11 p.m., the first rioters entered the west side of the building, smashing windows and battering shuttered doors.
Theyre going in? Theyre going in! a rioter can be heard shouting in one video.
Theres so many people, lets go! This shits ours! the cameraman says. I cant believe this is reality. We accomplished this shit. We did this shit together, fuck yeah! This is fuckin history! Were all part of this fuckin history! 
Trump Suppoters Break Though the Capitol Steps #DCProtests#dc#capitolbreachpic.twitter.com/7giTa7AznW
Jayden X (@realjaydenx) January 7, 2021
In his office in the Longworth House Office Building, Rep. Mike GallagherMichael (Mike) John GallagherGOP lawmaker on protesters storming Capitol: ‘I have not seen anything like this since I deployed to Iraq’GOP lawmakers plead for calm, urge Trump to help restore order amid Capitol violenceCoalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won’t challenge election resultsMORE (R-Wis.), a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, had a surreal moment with his staff.
I never thought I’d be having a conversation with my staff about how to barricade the doors and what weapons to use and whether I could use the Marine Corps sword I have hanging on the walls of my office as a defensive weapon if the mob came, but that’s where we were yesterday, and that’s a sad day for American democracy, Gallagher said later on NBCs “Today” show.
Rep. Larry BucshonLarry Dean BucshonHouse Republicans who didn’t sign onto the Texas lawsuitVaccine development process is safe, claims of the contrary are baselessCongress must protect kidney disease patients during the COVID-19 pandemicMORE (R-Ind.) raced around his own office.
The doorknobs were locked, but I personally went around and locked the deadbolts on the two doors. Im like, Oh crap,’ he told the Indianapolis Star.
Were staying here forever
Greg Nash, The Hills staff photographer, had ducked out of the Senate to upload images for the press pool. As he snapped some new shots from the window, a gallery director warned him to be careful standing next to windows in case of blasts.
As the rioters poured into the building, some made clear they had journalists in their sights.
I stopped near a window outside of Sen. [Charles] Schumer’s office and saw protesters rushing the Capitol, Nash wrote. One rioter saw me as I was taking pictures and threw a water bottle towards the window which thankfully missed.
At 2:13 p.m., Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyConfirmation hearing for Biden Treasury pick Yellen slated for next TuesdayPro-Trump mob overruns Capitol, forcing evacuationLIVE COVERAGE: Capitol overrun by pro-Trump mobsMORE (R-Iowa), presiding over the Senate debate on a challenge to Arizonas Electoral College votes, interrupted Sen. James LankfordJames Paul LankfordTop Republican congressional aide resigns, rips GOP lawmakers who objected to Biden winEfforts to secure elections likely to gain ground in Democrat-controlled CongressTexas Democrats Joaquin and Julián Castro call for Cruz to step downMORE (R-Okla.).
The Senate will stand in recess until the call of the chair, Grassley said. Lankford paused, until a staffer advised him: The protesters are in the building.
Just a minute later, rioters chased a Capitol Police officer up the stairs to a door near the Senate chamber. Video shows the officer looking left, to the open door, and then retreating to the right, drawing rioters away from senators who were only beginning to scramble to safety.
Heres the scary moment when protesters initially got into the building from the first floor and made their way outside Senate chamber. pic.twitter.com/CfVIBsgywK
Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
Three other officers arrived to back up the first. You need to leave now, one said to the rioters.
Were staying here forever, a protester responds. This is our America.
In the House, Pelosis security detail rushed her to safety.
Thats when we realized things were much closer to where we were than we thought, Jacobs said, watching from the gallery.
As the Senate began to evacuate, there was little evidence of a proper plan. Sen. Todd YoungTodd Christopher Young’I saw my life flash before my eyes’: An oral history of the Capitol attackUS Chamber of Commerce to stop supporting some lawmakers following the Capitol riotsGOP senator confronted by Trump supporters over electoral challenge: ‘The law matters’ MORE (R-Ind.) positioned himself near Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMcConnell won’t reprise role as chief Trump defenderTrumpism must not become the new McCarthyismRepublicans wrestle over removing TrumpMORE (R-Maine) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiMcConnell won’t reprise role as chief Trump defenderGOP Sen. Tim Scott opposes impeaching TrumpRepublicans eye primaries in impeachment voteMORE (R-Alaska) to act as a guard, Collins said later.
What about us?
There was really no order as we got evacuated from the Senate in terms of how senators should group together, said Jordain Carney, who covers the Senate for The Hill.
We were initially told to run but about halfway through a tunnel told we could slow down. [Sen. Dick] Durbins detail pulled him off in a different direction. McConnell had a detail on both sides and they were moving him very quickly. Schumers guy appeared to have him by the back neck area of his jacket.
© Greg Nash
Outside the Senate, as Nash hurried past, some of the rioters demanded to know who he worked for. Nash got to a door to the Senate gallery just as doorkeepers were pulling them shut. 
They told us to follow them and we ended up in the Senate basement just as senators were evacuating the building. On the walk over I could see staffers were carrying some of the Electoral College certifications, Nash wrote.
Capitol Police began evacuating representatives out of the House chamber. But as they did, they seemed to forget the two dozen or so who were still seated in the gallery.
What about us? shouted Rep. Diana DeGetteDiana Louise DeGetteBipartisan lawmakers call for expedited diabetes researchThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC – Dems push McConnell on COVID-19 relief; Grassley contracts COVID-19Overnight Health Care: Schumer, Pelosi want Heroes Act as ‘starting point’ in new COVID-19 relief talks | Labs warn of possible delays in test results amid surge in demand | Federal government partners with pharmacies for coronavirus vaccine distributionMORE (D-Colo.).
If there was a plan, that plan had deteriorated, and things were going to get bad quickly. Which they did, Crow recalled later. I made the decision to call my wife, tell her that I loved her, to pass that along to the kids, and I was preparing to either make a stand or fight our way out, and I would let her know as soon as I could.
Crow told his colleagues to remove their member pins, so they would be less identifiable as targets.
We saw the leadership removed from the chamber. We heard banging on the doors. We were ordered to get our gas masks on. And we proceeded to the exits only to find that there was actually no plan whatsoever. You know, the Capitol Police were improvising, said Rep. Tom MalinowskiThomas (Tom) MalinowskiHouse Democrats unveil resolution to censure Rep. Mo Brooks over Capitol riotsDemocrats poised to impeach Trump againBipartisan anger builds over police failure at CapitolMORE (D-N.J.).
The Capitol Police were overwhelmed
Some rioters swarming the building were looking for one target in particular: Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove TrumpTrump told Pence he could be a ‘patriot’ or ‘p—-‘ when overseeing election vote: report READ: Pence letter to Pelosi rejecting calls to invoke 25th AmendmentMORE. Some shouted that they wanted to hang him.
After weeks of the president demonizing the VP for not pledging to overturn the election on his behalf, a power he did not have. https://t.co/LPnmwxdwES
Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperCNN expanding Jake Tapper’s show to two hours, shortening Wolf Blitzer’s showCNN’s Acosta moving away from White HouseThis week: Democrats barrel toward Trump impeachment after Capitol attackMORE (@jaketapper) January 9, 2021
Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth! Trump tweeted, at 2:24 p.m.
As rioters walked freely through Statuary Hall, some took up residence in a Capitol office. Someone sparked a joint.
We went in there and then I walked in and theres just a whole bunch of people lighting up in some Oregon room. I dont know if its theres tons of Oregon paintings, but they were smoking a bunch of weed in there, one rioter told a recording camera. Then we moved it down, so many statues. Cops are very cool.
The cops were very cool. pic.twitter.com/K0uJLSJAxX
Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) January 8, 2021
Fourteen minutes after his first tweet, Trump chimed in again: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
In Annapolis, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) was 10 minutes into a meeting with the Japanese ambassador to the United States when his chief of staff burst in the room. The Capitol, she said, was under attack.
My chief of staff was talking with the chief of staff for Mayor Bowser in Washington, D.C. They were asking for help. The Capitol Police and the Metropolitan police were overwhelmed, Hogan said in an interview. Hogan convened senior staffers and the top leaders of the state police and National Guard in a conference room.
Getting myself ready for battle
At 2:44 p.m., the members of Congress sheltering in the gallery heard a gunshot ring out. 
I was basically getting myself ready for a battle, for a fight. I had a pen in my pocket that I took out, Crow said. The thought crossed my mind about asking one of the officers for his gun. Ive been in combat before, life and death situations. Ive had to use lethal force, and I know that I know how to do it, and I didnt know whether or not the police would be willing or able to do it. I thought for a moment about whether I should ask for his gun so that if the mob broke through I would be able to do what was necessary to protect my colleagues.
Police officers told members to remove the protective hoods from under their seats. Some knew how they worked, others needed direction.
We were told to look under our seats and to withdraw gas masks, because there potentially would be a need for the use of tear gas. You gotta understand, I’ve not used a gas mask before. Most people in Congress, you know, they didn’t know how to put it on, said Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.). So we’re looking at [Rep.] Ruben GallegoRuben Gallego’I saw my life flash before my eyes’: An oral history of the Capitol attackOvernight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops’ role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nomineeDuckworth demands Pentagon investigate whether troops participated in Capitol riotsMORE (D-Ariz.), he demonstrates how to put this thing on. Everyone loves Ruben.
Gallego, a Marine who saw combat in Iraq, was photographed standing on two chairs on the House floor, mask in hand, shouting instructions. 
I couldnt get mine opened, Jacobs said later.
We were also told that we should expect to have to lie down on the ground of the House floor in the event of gunfire, Jones said. I saw my life flash before my eyes and my sense from my colleagues is that many of them did, too.
By 3:03 p.m., rioters had breached the Senate floor. In the secure location, Sen. James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeRepublican senators now regret not doing more to contain TrumpGOP senator says he’s never seen Pence so angry amid Trump calls to block election certificationElectoral College fight splits GOP as opposition grows to election challengeMORE (R-Okla.) spoke with Pence.
Ive known Mike Pence forever. Ive never seen Pence as angry as he was today, Inhofe recounted to the Tulsa World.
After all the things Ive done for [Trump], Pence said, according to Inhofe.
While Trump tweeted, President-elect Joe Biden spoke in Wilmington, Del.
At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, Biden said gravely. At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite.
Back in Annapolis, Hogan fielded a phone call from House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerTensions flare between House Republicans, Capitol Police over metal detectorsTrump impeachment collides with Biden’s agendaManchin: House impeachment plan ‘ill-advised’MORE (D-Md.).
They whisked us off to an undisclosed location. Im in a room with the Speaker and with Chuck SchumerChuck SchumerWoman interrupts Schumer press conference, calls him ‘racist anti-Semite’Overnight Energy: EPA rule exempts many polluting industries from future air regulations | Ex-Michigan governor to be charged over Flint water crisis: report | Officials ousted from White House after papers casting doubt on climate scienceSenate to be briefed on inauguration security after Capitol attackMORE and the Capitol Police is overwhelmed. The Capitol is under attack. Im calling you to request your help from Maryland, from the Maryland state police and the National Guard, Hoyer said, according to Hogans memory.
Maryland National Guard generals were running it up the flag pole. Several of our generals were talking to the central National Guard bureau at the Pentagon, and they were saying no we dont have authorization, Hogan recalled. I said well, we cant wait, so Im going to activate 500 members of the Maryland National Guard so at least theyll be preparing and ready to deploy if and when we get the authorization.
Minutes later, Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who had stormed the building, was shot by Capitol Police. She later died of her injuries.
Hogan called Hoyer back at 3:35 p.m. He told the Democratic leader National Guard troops were staging just outside the District, and that state police were already on the way. Complicated rules do not allow states to send Guard troops to the federal city without explicit Pentagon permission.
Ill get our guys ready. If we have to, we can start staging outside the District, and as soon as we get the go-ahead we can cross across the border, Hogan said.
By 3:51 p.m., the D.C. National Guard was formally mobilized. 
It was gross. It was completely unsafe
Hunkered in their own undisclosed location, House members were in a state of shock. Video from the scene shows Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) urging some Republicans to put on masks to guard against the coronavirus spreading.
You know the Republicans, many of them didn’t wear their masks. It was gross. It was completely unsafe. And they kept escorting members of Congress to the room. So eventually I became more concerned that I would get COVID-19 from my Republican colleagues than would die at the hands of the insurrectionists, Jones said.
By Tuesday, three House Democrats who had been in the secured room had tested positive for the virus.
For nearly an hour, Henry had not known where his boss was. Kaines cellphone lay on his desk. Finally, Henrys phone buzzed with a New Mexico number Sen. Martin HeinrichMartin Trevor HeinrichWe need to fight forest fires when they aren’t burningOVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA proposes reapproving uses of pesticide linked to brain damage in children | Hispanic caucus unhappy with transition team treatment of Lujan Grisham | Schwarzenegger backs Nichols to lead EPAHispanic caucus unhappy with transition team treatment of Lujan GrishamMORE (D-N.M.) was on the line, standing next to Kaine. Both men were safe.
You worry about his personal safety, there is a frustration that youre powerless because at this point the mob has taken over the building, and you dont know where this is going to end, Henry said.
In the same secure location, Senate officials moved reporters to an antechamber. At one point, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) appeared, in a frantic search for water to aid another senator who was feeling ill.
After a while packs of water were brought in, then like a slate of soft drinks, the Senate dining staff brought packed dinners of chicken or steak first to the Senate and then the rest of us. Toward the very end they wheeled in coffee for the senators, Carney recalled. Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamBrown says Graham yelled at officer for not doing ‘enough’ to protect senatorsLawmakers briefed on ‘horrifying,’ ‘chilling’ security threats ahead of inaugurationTrump’s legacy is discord and divisionMORE (R-S.C.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersOn The Money: Sanders will be gatekeeper for key Biden proposals | Senate majority gives Biden path to student loan forgiveness | Confirmation hearing for Yellen expected next TuesdayWhy Trump can’t be prosecutedEarmarks can lead to legislating, which can lead to healingMORE (I-Vt.) began demanding answers from the Senate sergeant-at-arms.
We love you, youre very special
At the White House, a sense of doom had settled in. Staffers already crushed by a relentless string of embarrassing failures by Trumps legal team felt increasingly powerless.
“Most people were just sitting there silent at their desks, just watching the video and images and the news coverage. People were just literally stunned and silent watching it because it was just so disturbing, what we were seeing, one White House staffer said. 
After hours of cajoling, Trump reluctantly agreed to shoot a video calling for an end to the protests. But his ad libbing made things worse. 
I know your pain. I know youre hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, Trump said in a video released at 4:17 p.m. We love you, youre very special.
The video incensed Republicans who were still under siege. 
I called and texted my closest contact at the White House to urge that the president immediately tell the rioters to stop their violence and go home. But President Donald Trump completely undercut that message by repeating his grievances and telling the rioters that he knew how they felt. This was terrible, especially since he incited them in the first place, Collins wrote later.