The United States Congress on Wednesday urgently suspended a session intended to certify Joe Biden's presidential victory after pro-Trump demonstrators burst into Capitol Hill.
The outgoing president, who refuses to concede defeat, had called on his supporters to parade in Washington on the sidelines of this formal meeting.
After listening to him, some demonstrators marched towards Congress and the police had ordered the evacuation of several buildings.
Police officers drew their guns in the Congressional House of Representatives as pro-Trump protesters attempted to enter the chamber, an elected official reported.
"The security guards and the police of the Capitol drew their weapons while supporters of Donald Trump tried to force the passage", tweeted the elected Dan Kildee.
“We were instructed to lie down on the ground and put on our gas mask,” he added.