Two buildings were briefly evacuated on Wednesday (Jan. 6) by U.S. Capitol Police due to a bomb threat.
According to Fox News, the Cannon House Office Building and Madison Library of Congress Building were evacuated after several suspicious packages were found near the area. The local police have asked personnel to “shelter to place” at the Rayburn and Longworth House Office Buildings.
“Due to police activity, all personnel are advised to relocate from the Cannon House Office Building to the Rayburn and Longworth House Office Buildings through the underground tunnels,” stated a police memo that was sent to lawmakers. “Do not evacuate outside the buildings. All personnel should shelter in place in the Rayburn and Longworth House Office buildings.”
Of the packages that were found near the Capitol, at least one of the devices looked like a pipe bomb. The D.C. bomb unit has been notified and are investigating.
Chaos erupted as Congress moved to certify the Electoral College votes to officially make President-elect Joe Biden the next president of the United States. On Wednesday, pro-Trump protesters flooded the city in objection to the election results. President Trump spoke to his supporters and urged Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification — which he legally cannot do.
“I hope Mike is going to do the right thing. I hope so. I hope so, because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election,” the president said. “All Vice President Pence has to do is re-certify, and we become president and you are the happiest people.”
Some of the protesters breached the Capitol barriers and flooded the building. Video footage showed hundreds of people who were carrying Pro-Trump and American flags as they marched through Statuary Hall. The U.S. Capitol Police are now asking for additional law enforcement for assistance.