A woman shot at the United States Capitol on Wednesday is dead.
Riot broke out after President Donald Trump tactically charged his supporters to oppose counting of the electoral votes that will confirm Joe Biden as President-elect.
Thousands of protesters re-echoed Trump’s claims of election fraud.
They clashed with police officers and forced their way into the Capitol Building, the meeting place of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The lawmakers were rushed to safety. Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated as he was to perform his role in the vote count.
It was the first time the iconic edifice had been overrun since the British burned the building, August 1814, said Samuel Holliday, director of operations, US Capitol Historical Society.
Trump has ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington along with “other federal protective services”.
“The D.C. Guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement in the District,” Jonathan Hoffman, Pentagon spokesman confirmed.
In a statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the shameful assault made on America’s democracy was anointed at the highest level of government.
“It cannot, however, deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden,” Pelosi wrote.
In protest of the developments, Stephanie Grisham, First Lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff, and two other White House officials have resigned.
“It has been an honour to serve the country in the White House. I am very proud to have been a part of Mrs. Trump’s mission to help children everywhere, and proud of the many accomplishments of this administration”, her statement read.
Grisham earlier served as White House communications director and press secretary.
Similarly, Sarah Matthews, deputy press secretary announced her exit.
Matthews said she was honored to serve in the Trump administration and proud of the policies we enacted.
“As someone who worked in the hall of Congress I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today. I’ll be stepping down from my role, effective immediately. Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power”, she wrote.
Also, Rickie Niceta, White House social secretary, submitted her resignation Wednesday, according to ABC News.
More resignations are expected in the coming days.
