Capitol riots: Dramatic pictures show Trump supporters breaking into building

Angry Trump supporters attempt to derail peaceful transfer of power

A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Dramatic photos show Donald Trump supporters breaking into the US Capitol on Wednesday, clashing with police and forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's win.

Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol, the seat of the legislative branch of the US government in Washington DC. Lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.

As lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden’s victory – a step that is usually considered a formality in US presidential elections, an announcement was played inside the Capitol. The recording said that due to an “external security threat”, no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex.

Rioters were also seen inside the Senate chamber. One person got up on the dais and yelled “Trump won that election.”

Congressional leaders were whisked to safety. Republican lawmakers are increasingly calling on Donald Trump to act to deescalate the violent protests. In a video message, the president once again peddled baseless claims of election fraud, telling rioters: “We love you, you’re very special” and “I know how you feel, but go home, and go home in peace.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Scroll down for images of the Capitol riots:

Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, in Washington, DC (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Police hold back Trump supporters outside the US Capitol’s Rotunda (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Protesters gather inside the US Capitol Building (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Police hold back Trump supporters as they gather outside the US Capitol’s Rotunda (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Supporters of President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol’s Rotunda (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

US Capitol Police detain protesters outside of the House Chamber (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

A protester sits in the Senate Chamber (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Protesters enter the Senate Chamber (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol Building (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol Building (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

A protester is seen inside the US Capitol Building (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Pro-Trump supporters storm the US Capitol (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)