Trump Supporters Attempt Coup at US Capitol After GOP Objects to Arizona’s Electoral Votes

There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Arizona or the rest of the US.  

Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday after multiple Republicans objected to Arizona’s 11 electoral votes for President-elect Joe Biden. 

Right-wing extremists pushed Capitol Police back on the grounds and breached the building around 12:30 p.m. Arizona time. The Capitol was placed on lockdown and lawmakers and staff were told to shelter in place. 

NBC reported a woman was shot in the chest by a police officer inside the Capitol and later died. According to CNN, multiple officers were injured and one was hospitalized. Details about the extent of the officer’s injuries weren’t immediately available Wednesday.

CNN also reported the Senate floor was cleared around 1:30 p.m. and officers were working to clear rioters from the Capitol. The Sergeant at Arms reportedly announced the building was secured around 3:30 p.m.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a curfew from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday.

Biden addressed the nation after the insurrection, asking Trump to “step up” and denounce the violence.

Trump posted a video in which he told rioters to “go home,” but he repeated baseless claims of voter fraud and thanked his supporters. Facebook removed the video hours later out of fear it would contribute to rather than diminish the “ongoing risk of violence.”

Arizona Republicans Amped Up Rhetoric

Earlier in the day, around 11:15 a.m., Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Prescott) objected to Arizona’s votes during a joint session of Congress as lawmakers were certifying the electoral count. 

Gosar and other Republicans, including Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, allege there was voter fraud in the 2020 general election and have called for an audit of ballots. 

There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Arizona or the rest of the US.  

Republicans protesting the election’s results had encouraged Trump supporters to converge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to fight back against the certification of votes. 

Trump spoke at a “Save the Election” rally near the White House on Wednesday morning and repeated baseless claims of voter fraud. 

At the rally, Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giulani called for “trial by combat.” 

Gosar had tweeted Jan. 2 that the president’s supporters should “hold the line” and “fight for Trump.”

After right-wing extremists began storming the Capitol on Wednesday, Gosar denounced their actions on Twitter with an image of rioters climbing a perimeter wall. But the Phoenix New Times reported Gosar posted the same image on Parler, a right-wing social media platform, with a message that appeared to be sympathizing with the insurrection.

Gosar also later suggested with no evidence that certain Capitol intruders were affiliated with “Antifa.”

The Arizona Republican Party tweeted last month asking the president’s supporters if they were willing to give their lives to fight the election’s results. 

The state party’s chair, Kelli Ward, blamed the rioters’ actions on Democrats. She also claimed Congress was “adjourned” and objected to the certification of the election results.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Phoenix) responded, “Fuck you we are. Democracy will not die tonight.”

This is a developing story and The Copper Courier will continue to update it as more information becomes available.