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Capitol riots: Pro-Trump protesters storm the US legislature - in pictures

Protesters in support of US President Donald Trump swarmed the Capitol building, forcing officials to order lawmakers to shelter in place and halting debate in both the House and Senate. Congress was meeting to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college victory.

Reuters Supporters of Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the US CapitolReuters
Dusk falls around the US Capitol as Trump supporters continue their occupation of its front steps
Reuters A protester carries the Confederate flag into the US Capitol buildingReuters
A protester carries the Confederate flag after breaching US Capitol security
Getty Images Pro-Trump protesters break in to the US CapitolGetty Images
Protesters wearing pro-Trump merchandise take photographs inside the building
Getty Images One protester carries a plinth from a room in the US CapitolGetty Images
One protester is seen carrying a plinth from a room at the US Capitol
Getty Images Capitol police point guns at a protester from inside the House chamberGetty Images
Capitol police officers point guns at a protester from inside the House chamber
Getty Images A protester hangs from the wall of the US Senate chamberGetty Images
A protester jumps over a balcony to reach the Senate floor
Getty Images US lawmakers and staff wear protective gear amid protests inside the CapitolGetty Images
Lawmakers and Capitol staff wear protective gas masks during the siege
Getty Images A protester carries a flag that reads "Trump is my president"Getty Images
A flag reading "Trump is my president" is waved by one protester
EPA A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits at the desk of US House Speaker Nancy PelosiEPA
After sitting at the desk of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one protester leaves a message reading "we will not back down"
Getty Images Capitol police detain protesters inside the buildingGetty Images
Several protesters are detained by heavily-armed police
Getty Images Pro-Trump protesters break in to the US CapitolGetty Images
Protesters speak to police and other Capitol staff during a tense stand-off inside
EPA Supporters of US President Donald J. Trump in the Capitol rotunda after breaching securityEPA
Dozens of protesters celebrate after reaching the Capitol's central rotunda
Getty Images Trump supporters pose for pictures on the Senate daisGetty Images
Trump supporters pose for pictures on the Senate dais
Getty Images A Trump supporter wears face paint at a protest in Washington, DCGetty Images
Some of the protesters are wearing face paint and costumes
Reuters Leigh Ann Luck dressed up as the Statue of Liberty shouts as supporters of President Donald Trump gather near the Capitol building in WashingtonReuters
One Trump supporter is seen dressed as the Statue of Liberty
Reuters President-elect Joe Biden speaks amid protests in WashingtonReuters
President-elect Joe Biden tells President Donald Trump to "step up" in response to the protests
Twitter flags Donald J Trump's response to the protests as posing a "risk of violence"
Twitter describes President Trump's response to the protests as posing a "risk of violence"
Reuters Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest outside the Capitol buildingReuters
Earlier, supporters of US President Donald Trump gathered outside the Capitol

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