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Security forces try to protect the Capitol from aggressive protesters
Photo: Julio Cortez / AP
This article will be updated continuously.
After angry supporters of Donald Trump broke into the Capitol, the US President is now sending the National Guard to the capital.
This was confirmed by a White House spokeswoman.
The governors of the states of Virginia and Maryland announced that they will send National Guards and state police to the neighboring capital.
In the early afternoon (local time) there had previously been clashes between supporters of the US President and the police in front of the Capitol.
The aim of the violent protests was to confirm the US election results at the seat of the American Congress.
As can be seen in images from several US media outlets, hundreds of people marched to the parliament after a speech by Trump.
MEPs' deliberations were temporarily suspended after protesters entered the parliamentary seat.
TV pictures showed a large crowd in front of the Capitol and later in the rooms of the congress headquarters.
The police used tear gas and pepper spray.
Trump flags were unfurled on the stairs of the Capitol.
Washington curfew at night
The mayor of the capital, Muriel Bowser, imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
As several US media reported unanimously, a person was injured by a gunshot outside the Capitol.
There was initially no information on the person's condition.
In a Twitter video, Trump addressed his followers at 4:30 p.m. local time, calling on them to leave the Capitol and go home.
He repeated the unproven accusation of election fraud with which he had previously incited the violent demonstrators.
“You have to go home now.
We must have peace.
We have to have law and order, ”said Trump.
Twitter provided the video with a note and restricted distribution, likes and replies.
Pence condemns attacks
President-elect Joe Biden condemned the attacks.
Biden described the excesses as an "unprecedented attack" on democracy.
He urged Trump to deliver a speech at the Capitol immediately to put an end to "this siege."
Biden called for a return to "decency."
Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter: "Peaceful protest is the right of every American, but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be held accountable with all the severity of the law," Pence wrote.
According to the Washington Post, members of right-wing groups were among the demonstrators, who further incited the crowd.
At least two buildings belonging to the parliament complex nearby had therefore been evacuated.
As reported by the Reuters news agency, citing employees, the President of the House of Representatives and Trump opponent Nancy Pelosi and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were brought to safety.
As a senator for the state of California, Harris was in the Capitol.
Trump gives speech on fraud in US election
In his speech about alleged fraud in the US presidential election, the outgoing US president called on his supporters to move to the Capitol, which houses the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In his speech he urged tens of thousands of supporters present not to put up with the "theft" of the election.
On Twitter, Trump later called on the protesters to remain peaceful.
"Please support the Capitol Police and law enforcement agencies, they are on our country's side," Trump wrote.
“No violence!
Remember, we are the party of law and order. "
Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, told Fox News that the violent protests were "un-American."
You should stop now, he said.
The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also spoke up.
"Trump and his supporters should finally accept the decision of the American voters and stop trampling democracy," he tweeted.
"The contempt for democratic institutions has devastating effects." The Foreign Office's crisis center warns Germans in Washington via Twitter to be careful.
At noon (local time), Vice President Pence stood against Trump at the Congress session.
When certifying the results of the US election, which Trump had clearly lost to Joe Biden, Pence announced that he would not unilaterally reject votes from electors.
His oath to protect the constitution does not allow him, said Senate President Pence.
Trump had previously asked Pence to overturn Biden's election victory.
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