Watch: Donald Trump asks 'very special' protestors to 'go home'; Joe Biden condemns 'siege' on US Capitol

In a message that will do little to ease tensions in Washington, Mr Trump repeated the unfounded claim that the 2020 US election was "stolen" from him

US Donald Trump did not condemn the protests; President-elect Joe Biden said the actions 'bordered on sedition'. Picture: Twitter/ Andrew Harnik/ AP

Additional Reporting: Ben Fox, Associated Press

US President Donald Trump has asked his supporters, those who stormed the United States Capitol building earlier today, to "go home in peace."

In a pre-recorded message that will do little to ease tensions in Washington, Mr Trump repeated the baseless claim that the recent US election was "stolen" from him.

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," Mr Trump said.

"We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt."

Mr Trump asked his supporters "not to play into the hands" of the people he believes are trying to prevent his re-election.

Neither Mr Trump, nor his allies have produced any evidence the US election was in fact "stolen."

There’s never been a period of time like this where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us - from me from you, from our country.

Ending his message, Mr Trump called the protestors "very special."

"So go home, we love you, you’re very special," he said.

"You’ve seen what happens, you’ve seen the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil.

"I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace," he added.

Importantly, Mr Trump failed to condemn any of the actions of the DC protestors. 

In what is a first for the social media company, Twitter has blocked the like, retweet, and reply functions on Mr Trump's Twitter message, citing a "risk of violence."

Facebook has also announced that it will be removing Mr Trump's video outright.

This is an emergency situation and we are taking appropriate emergency measures, including removing President Trump's video. We removed it because on balance we believe it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence.

— Guy Rosen (@guyro) January 6, 2021

Meanwhile, one woman has died after being shot in the chest on the grounds of the Capitol building. 

The Washington DC National Guard has been deployed to help bring the protests under control.

'End this siege' - President-elect Biden calls on Trump to order protestors to stand down

President-elect Joe Biden has called on President Trump to appear on TV immediately and call on the protestors to move away from the US Capitol

US President-elect Joe Biden earlier addressed the nation amid violent clashes at the US Capitol.

Acknowledging that the eyes of the world were now on Washington DC, Mr Biden called on US President Donald Trump to "step up" call on his supporters to withdraw from the area. 

Mr Biden said the US capitol and democracy in the US were "under assault."

"This is an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings - the doing of the people's business.

President-elect Biden addresses the nation: https://t.co/BXM3SZK25R

— The White House 46 Archived (@WhiteHouse46) January 6, 2021

"The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America, they do not reflect who we are," the President-elect said.

This is not dissent, it's disorder. It's chaos, it borders on sedition, and it must end now.

"We are so much better than what we have seen today," Mr Biden said. 

"I am genuinely shocked and saddened that our nation, so long the beacon of light and hope for democracy, has come to such a dark moment.

Mr Biden's Vice-President elect Kamla Harris also condemned scenes in Washington today. 

I join President-elect @JoeBiden in calling for the assault on the Capitol and our nation’s public servants to end, and as he said, “allow the work of democracy to go forward.”

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 6, 2021

One person shot as protestors storm US Capitol building

One person has been shot during skirmishes between police and Trump supporters at the Capitol building in Washington DC, according to reports.

The US Capitol is currently in lockdown after protesters breached barricades amid violent clashes between President Donald Trump’s supporters and Washington DC police.

Both chambers of Congress abruptly recessed as they were debating the Electoral College vote that gave Joe Biden the presidency.

Photo by Win McNamee. pic.twitter.com/nn3Vm95oEQ

— Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) January 6, 2021

There was confusion in the House chamber as the Capitol doors were locked and debate was suspended.

A representative from the Capitol police spoke from a lectern on the dais and told politicians to remain calm, and that more information would be available soon.

 

An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden’s victory.

Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.

The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.

At President @realDonaldTrump’s direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services.

We reiterate President Trump’s call against violence and to remain peaceful.

— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 6, 2021

 

Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear.

Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.

A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.

The skirmishes came just shortly after President Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress’ vote.

A supporter of President Trump sits inside Speaker Pelosi's office. pic.twitter.com/xyhj0Lziro

— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 6, 2021

“We will not let them silence your voices,” Mr Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president.

Members of Congress inside the House chamber were told by police to put on gas masks after tear gas was dispersed in the Capitol Rotunda amid the skirmishes.

Law enforcement instructed politicians to retrieve masks from under their seats amid the clashes.

After seemingly egging on the protests, President Trump tweeted to his supporters to “stay peaceful” as they violently clash with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building.

I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the US Capitol to help quell the violence.

A spokesperson told the Associated Press that officers from the Federal Protective Service and US Secret Service agents are being sent to the scene.

He said they were requested to assist by US Capitol Police.

A protestor sitting in the chair of the Vice President in the US House. Picture: Igor Bobic/ Twitter

Earlier: Senators inside the US Capitol Building, who had been preparing to formally declare Joe Biden the next US President, have been evacuated.

Several protestors are now on the Senate floor.

Among the evacuees is US Vice-President Mike Pence. 

Democrat of Virginia Congressman from Virginia, Gerry Connolly confirmed on Twitter that members were given gas masks before being moved from the floor. Tear gas was dispensed in the Rotunda.

There are now unconfirmed reports of an 'armed stand-off' outside the doors of the Senate floor.

Donald Trump has sent a tweet asking his supporters to “remain peaceful."

I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

Earlier: The US Capitol building has gone into lockdown, with politicians inside, as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump and police.

An announcement was played inside the Capitol as politicians were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden’s victory.

A dozen Capitol Police officers rush toward House chamber thru crowd of protesters pic.twitter.com/zjEmjt0cyB

— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) January 6, 2021

Due to an “external security threat,” no-one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.

Trump supporters (John Minchillo/AP)

Both chambers abruptly went into recess.

The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.

Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear.

Police officers are holding them steps away from the Senate chamber, which is locked. Senators are inside. I see a few confederate flags. pic.twitter.com/YI7X7KmuUG

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021

Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back.

Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.

A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.

The mayor of Washington DC, Muriel Bowser, has now announced a citywide curfew from 6pm tonight until 6am tomorrow.

The skirmishes came just shortly after President Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress’ vote.

“We will not let them silence your voices,” Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president.