UPDATE 3 p.m. PST: A 6 p.m. EST curfew was activated until 6 a.m. in Washington D.C., and the Capitol building has been cleared and secured of what President-Elect Biden a “mob.”

A woman has died after a shooting inside the Capitol building, according to the Washington Post, and the FBI responded to as suspected bomb threat after “home made bombs” were found by a trash can near the Republican National Committee headquarters.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m. PST: Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said there is an intention to proceed with the certification of the Electoral College votes, according to CBSN.

UPDATE 1:25 p.m. PST: Gov. Gavin Newsom canceled his COVID-19 update, Wednesday, out of an “abundance of caution.” The governor did address the happenings at the U.S. Capitol, saying:

“Peaceful protest is an important mechanism of our democracy but what we are witnessing in our nation’s Capitol building is reprehensible and an outright assault to our democracy and Democratic institutions. The people of California have spoken, and our congressional delegation should never have to fear for their lives to represent Californians. We are concerned for the safety of California’s congressional delegation and U.S. Capitol staff, and are reaching out to offer support in every way possible. President Trump must call for an end to this escalating situation, acknowledge the will of the people to bring President-Elect Biden to the White House and move immediately to a peaceful transition of power.”

UPDATE 1: 10 p.m. PST: President-elect Joe Biden spoke on the Capitol Hill “mob,” calling for President Trump to “step up” and “defend the constitution.”

“Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America,” Biden said. “What we’re seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness.”

Trump also addressed the protesters saying:

I know your pain, I know you’re hurt… but you have to go home now. We have to have peace, we have to have law and order. We don’t want anyone hurt.”

UPDATE 12:50 p.m. PST: The Washington D.C. National Guard has been mobilized, while Virginia and Maryland have also sent National Guard assistance to the U.S. Capitol. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made a joint statement saying, “We are calling on President Trump to demand that all protesters leave the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Grounds immediately.”

Original Text: As congress met to certify the Electoral College votes on Wednesday, protesters breached the Capitol, forcing a lockdown.

The protesters stood on the building steps, waving a mixture of Donald Trump and U.S. flags, some even making their way inside the Capitol, as CBSN live footage showed.

“I am safe, but heartbroken about what we are enduring at our nation’s Capitol,” Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeted out, Wednesday. “Running for our lives as Members of Congress in the United States is really devastating and totally shocking.”

Capitol staff were asked to “remain quiet and silence electronics,” before being escorted from the congressional floor.

Washington D.C. enacted a 6 p.m. EST curfew, with a request of 200 National Guard members made to the Pentagon.

“There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill,” Senator Marco Rubio said about the protest. “This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy.”

Before the lockdown, the House of Representatives and Senate debated the election certification, but before long, a recess was called as protesters got closer to the building.

President Trump did not condemn the protests, but addressed them through Twitter, saying, “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

For weeks since the presidential elections, President Trump has questioned the election results, claiming voter fraud took place, despite judges dismissing the claims.

As congress met, President Trump again showed public disapproval of Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to not overturn the presidential election results that saw president-elect Joe Biden as the victor.

By law, congress must finish the election certification process.

This story will be updated as more information comes becomes available.

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