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Pro-Trump extremists breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as a joint session of Congress began the process of certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win in the Electoral College. As authorities put the building on lockdown and told lawmakers and others to shelter in place, the astonishing scenes sparked condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
Earlier in the day, Trump appeared at a rally with supporters and said, “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” The president then encouraged them to head to the Capitol.
Biden criticized the president, saying words matter, and he urged Trump to deliver a national address to the nation. The White House then released a recorded video in which Trump reiterated the baseless claim the election was stolen, but also told the mob to go home.