‘I saw my life flash before my eyes’: An oral history of the Capitol attack | TheHill – The Hill

A week after an unruly mob incited by President TrumpDonald TrumpGrowing number of GOP lawmakers say they support impeachment YouTube temporarily bars uploading of new content on Trump's channel House passes measure calling on Pence to remove Trump MORE laid siege to the U.S. Capitol, broken glass panes are under repair, the debris has been swept away and new security fences intended to thwart another insurrection have been erected.

Inside the Capitol, nerves are shot, tensions are high and questions are swirling over systemic failures that allowed thousands of rioters, some of whom were armed, to get into what was supposed to be one of the most well-guarded buildings in America.

Investigations are ongoing. A nationwide hunt for the rioters and looters who stormed the building has resulted in dozens of arrests. The top security officials on Capitol Hill have resigned in the wake of their performance, just days before a presidential inauguration will once again put the seat of democracy in the spotlight. And members, their staff and the Capitol community are only beginning to come to grips with the ordeals they endured.

This detailed account is based on interviews with more than a dozen members of Congress, congressional and White House staff, reporters who covered the assault and a governor who deployed law enforcement to retake the building. It is based on detailed reviews of video and audio recordings taken throughout the day, retrospective interviews and contemporaneous text messages shared between lawmakers.

How do we get in? You dont

Democrats were in a celebratory mood Wednesday morning. The days joint session of Congress would mark the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes that would send Joe BidenJoe BidenGrowing number of GOP lawmakers say they support impeachment House passes measure calling on Pence to remove Trump Disney, Walmart say they will block donations to lawmakers who objected to Electoral College results MORE to the White House, and the night before, Democrats had recaptured control of the Senate in two Georgia runoff elections.

I was excited about the news about Georgia. I actually brought in a bottle of champagne, and Id been coordinating with [Rep.] Nikema Williams from my class whos the Georgia Democratic Party chair on when we were going to come over and drink some champagne to celebrate the big win, said Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.).

We had just come off of the Georgia Senate races, and I was up most of the night watching the returns there, said Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.). It was a good morning. But we were turning around and getting ready to defend Georgias Electoral College votes.

As they began arriving, Capitol Hill veterans found protesters had already begun to gather.

As I was pulling into the complex, I could see protesters already around the Capitol and the Capitol grounds, said Mike Henry, chief of staff to Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael Kaine7 surprise moments from a tumultuous year in politics Robert E. Lee statue removed from US Capitol Sen. Alexander plays Christmas carols in Senate office building MORE (D-Va.). This community in general understands protests. Leading up to it, we all thought this one was going to be rougher than a normal protest.

In front of the White House, protesters began gathering before dawn, arriving on packed buses and swarming the Metro hours before Trump was to speak.

Rep. Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithHouse chairman: Biden Pentagon pick 'shares my commitment to civilian control of the military' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: To environmentalists, low interest in ANWR sales a failure for Trump | Record broken for number of billion-dollar US weather and climate disasters in 2020 | Green groups sue over Forest Service rule weakening environmental review Record broken for number of billion-dollar US weather and climate disasters in 2020 MORE (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had already been in touch with Army Secretary Ryan McCarthyRyan McCarthyBarrett among six top Air Force officials to step down Director of Army Staff disputes Capitol Police chief account of National Guard deployment Overnight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops' role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nominee MORE about Washington Mayor Muriel BowserMuriel BowserThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump's first public event since Twitter ban Lawmakers briefed on 'horrifying,' 'chilling' security threats ahead of inauguration The Hill's Morning Report - House to impeach Trump on Wednesday MOREs (D) request to deploy National Guard troops to handle what could be an unruly crowd. But when he took his morning stroll around the Capitol complex, he recalled rising concern over the preparations he saw or didnt see.

I went for a walk around the Capitol, and I was observing the various people milling about and moving towards the rally, Smith said. The barriers were not necessarily sufficient. There werent that many Capitol Police out there, and I was worried about, if they come to the Capitol, whats going to happen?

I was walking up and down a hill at the Capitol, and as I came around and made a turn by one of the barricades, one of the Trump people was standing there and called my attention. He said, Hey, how do we get in here? And I said, You dont, Smith said.

Whose house? Our house

Sen. Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranElectoral College fight splits GOP as opposition grows to election challenge Hillicon Valley: Texas, other states bring antitrust lawsuit against Google | Krebs emphasizes security of the election as senators butt heads | Twitter cracks down on coronavirus vaccine misinformation Senate Republicans once again ignore the unemployed MOREs (R-Kan.) office welcomed interns for their second day of work. They had been asked to come in to handle what Morans staff expected to be a busy day of calls from constituents who wanted to know whether Moran would object to the certification of Electoral College votes.

Wed experienced significant calls Monday and Tuesday. We knew there was going to be so many folks calling in asking about the various different questions of what we were actually doing on Wednesday, said Tom Brandt, Morans spokesman.

By 11 a.m., the first speakers began addressing the pro-Trump rally in front of the Ellipse. They excoriated the planned proceedings on Capitol Hill, and many urged the presidents supporters to continue the fight. But the few protesters milling around Capitol Hill seemed calm.

I was even talking to my staff about maybe going out into the crowd and recording a video, sort of saying were not going to let this group of people distract us. I was feeling that level of confidence in the security parameters, said Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.).

At 11:54 a.m., Donald Trump Jr. posted a video to Facebook showing his father watching the rally on television. The president began a stem-winding speech, railing against the election he had lost and the members of Congress who would ratify that loss. Even before Trump finished speaking, some in the crowd began marching down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue, toward the Capitol.

Whose house? Our house! chanted the protesters.

In the Russell Senate Office Building, Kaine laid his phone on his desk.

He said to me, Hey, I dont think Im gong to bring my phone. I really think I should pay attention to what everyones going to say, Henry said. In hindsight, I wish hed had his phone.

I lost track of him on the most important day when I cant lose track of him, and it was just because of this weird decision that he wanted to listen to everyones speech, Henry said.

Hold my backpack

By 12:49 p.m., law enforcement officers had found a suspicious package a pipe bomb behind the headquarters of the Republican National Committee. They found a similar device at the Democratic National Committee headquarters a few blocks away.

In the Senate chamber, Secret Service agents began whispering into their radios.

We saw some Secret Service moving around. Nothing abnormal. When the vice presidents in the building, thats very standard, Brandt said.

Four minutes later, the protests turned violent for the first time. A mob of Trump supporters sporting MAGA hats began shouting at and grappling with the few Capitol Police officers stationed at a barrier on the northwest side of the complex.

IMPORTANT: this is exact moment the siege of the Capitol building began as the two men in front ripped down a preliminary barrier & rushed officers who were behind a 2nd barrier

They then encouraged others to follow their lead. Officers appeared to be taken completely off guard pic.twitter.com/LE0a01PXBi

Hold my backpack, a young protester says. He flips his cap around as he screams at a Capitol Police officer before the crowd rushes the fence.

Arriving a few hours later, Niall Stanage, an editor at The Hill, was struck by the size of the crowd.Even from my vantage point, just on one side of the Capitol, there were several thousand, he wrote.

The number of rioters far exceeded the number of police

Shortly after 1 p.m., as senators filed into the House chamber for a joint session, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove Trump Trump told Pence he could be a 'patriot' or 'p----' when overseeing election vote: report Pelosi names 9 impeachment managers MORE (D-Calif.) showed a flash of irritation.

Lets go, lets just start, she said, standing next to Vice President Pence. Pelosi hammered the gavel. In the gallery above, a few dozen members had gathered to watch the session, with growing unease.

We were actually watching on our phones, streaming in real time as we were watching the debate, the riot clash with the police. It struck me that the number of rioters far exceeded the number of police. I questioned in my mind whether or not the police would be able to hold the barricades, said Rep. Jason CrowJason Crow'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack Overnight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops' role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nominee Duckworth demands Pentagon investigate whether troops participated in Capitol riots MORE (D-Colo.).

Trump, wrapping up his rambling remarks, urged his supporters to march down the street.

After this, were going to walk down there, and Ill be there with you, were going to walk down ... to the Capitol and we are going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, said Trump, who then returned to the safety of the White House.

Greg Nash

At 1:15 p.m., an increasingly violent clash between rioters and police broke out closer to the Capitol itself. Both police and rioters sprayed each other with chemical irritants, according to videos published online.

We backed you guys this summer, When the whole country hated you, we had your back, a rioter in a red beanie yelled at officers.

Fuck the blue, another shouted.

At 1:26 p.m., the first alerts went out by text message: The Madison Building at the Library of Congress had been evacuated. Soon, the Cannon House Office Building was being evacuated. Some of those being guided out of the building decided to seek safety in the Capitol itself.

The first security alert I remember is that they had to evacuate Cannon. So some of my colleagues were saying were going over to the House gallery and sit there for a while and watch things since we have to evacuate, Bourdeaux said.

My family started texting me, Jacobs, the California Democrat, said. I kept telling my parents its OK, Im in the House gallery, the House floor, Im probably in the safest place I could be because this is where everyone knows they need to protect us.

The most important vote Ive ever cast

Almost at the same moment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove Trump Trump, House GOP relationship suddenly deteriorates Kinzinger says he'll vote to impeach Trump MORE (R-Ky.) stood at his desk on the floor. After months of failed legal challenges, Trumps path to a second term was definitively closed, and McConnell was about to give what hed described as the most important address of his career.

Were debating a step that has never been taken in American history, whether Congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election. Ive served 36 years in the Senate. This will be the most important vote Ive ever cast, McConnell said. I will vote to respect the peoples decision and defend our system of government as we know it.

Sen. Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenTrump administration finalizes rollback of migratory bird protections David Sirota: Democrats gave away leverage in forcing vote on ,000 checks Hawley to challenge Electoral College results in Senate MORE (D-Md.) missed McConnells speech and was prevented from returning to the Capitol by police.

I headed to my Senate office in part because I wanted to pick up a couple notes that I had left because I was scheduled to speak on the tail end of the Arizona section of the floor debate, Van Hollen said. I was headed back over to the Capitol when one of the guards stopped us and said, Senator, you cant go down there. Were going on lockdown.

Van Hollen went back to his office in the Hart building, steps away from a Capitol Police security desk. Rioters never attempted to breach the Senate office buildings.

Minutes later, the first rioters reached Statuary Hall. Outside, the calls to violence became more intense.

The people in this house, who stole this election from us, hanging from a gallow out here in this lawn for the whole world to see, so it never happens again, said a man who called himself Joe, in audio captured by an NPR reporter. Thats what needs to happen. Four by four by four, hanging from a rope out here, for treason!

Yeah, were going to need help

Mayor Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. curfew at 1:40 p.m. She had already begun asking for help from the National Guard.

Nine minutes later, Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund requested immediate assistance from the Guard.

In his office in the Rayburn House Office Building, Armed Services Committee Chairman Smith began making his own calls to the Pentagon.

I got on the phone and called [Army Secretary Ryan] McCarthy and [Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark] Milley and [Defense] Secretary [Christopher] Miller to say, 'Yeah, were going to need help,' Smith said.

More rioters poured into the Capitol complex, this time from the northeast. By 2:11 p.m., the first rioters entered the west side of the building, smashing windows and battering shuttered doors.

Theyre going in? Theyre going in! a rioter can be heard shouting in one video.

Theres so many people, lets go! This shits ours! the cameraman says.I cant believe this is reality. We accomplished this shit. We did this shit together, fuck yeah! This is fuckin history! Were all part of this fuckin history!

Trump Suppoters Break Though the Capitol Steps #DCProtests #dc #capitolbreach pic.twitter.com/7giTa7AznW

In his office in the Longworth House Office Building, Rep. Mike GallagherMichael (Mike) John GallagherGOP lawmaker on protesters storming Capitol: 'I have not seen anything like this since I deployed to Iraq' GOP lawmakers plead for calm, urge Trump to help restore order amid Capitol violence Coalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won't challenge election results MORE (R-Wis.), a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, had a surreal moment with his staff.

I never thought I'd be having a conversation with my staff about how to barricade the doors and what weapons to use and whether I could use the Marine Corps sword I have hanging on the walls of my office as a defensive weapon if the mob came, but that's where we were yesterday, and that's a sad day for American democracy, Gallagher said later on NBCs "Today."

Rep. Larry BucshonLarry Dean Bucshon'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack Tensions flare between House Republicans, Capitol Police over metal detectors House Republicans who didn't sign onto the Texas lawsuit MORE (R-Ind.) raced around his own office.

The doorknobs were locked, but I personally went around and locked the deadbolts on the two doors. Im like, Oh crap,' he told the Indianapolis Star.

Were staying here forever

Greg Nash, The Hills staff photographer, had ducked out of the Senate to upload images for the press pool. As he snapped some new shots from the window, a gallery director warned him to be careful standing next to windows in case of blasts.

As the rioters poured into the building, some made clear they had journalists in their sights.

I stopped near a window outside of Sen. [Charles] Schumer's office and saw protesters rushing the Capitol, Nash wrote. One rioter saw me as I was taking pictures and threw a water bottle towards the window which thankfully missed.

At 2:13 p.m., Sen. Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyConfirmation hearing for Biden Treasury pick Yellen slated for next Tuesday Pro-Trump mob overruns Capitol, forcing evacuation LIVE COVERAGE: Capitol overrun by pro-Trump mobs MORE (R-Iowa), presiding over the Senate debate on a challenge to Arizonas Electoral College votes, interrupted Sen. James LankfordJames Paul LankfordTop Republican congressional aide resigns, rips GOP lawmakers who objected to Biden win Efforts to secure elections likely to gain ground in Democrat-controlled Congress Texas Democrats Joaquin and Julin Castro call for Cruz to step down MORE (R-Okla.).

The Senate will stand in recess until the call of the chair, Grassley said. Lankford paused, until a staffer advised him: The protesters are in the building.

Just a minute later, rioters chased a Capitol Police officer up the stairs to a door near the Senate chamber. Video shows the officer looking left, to the open door, and then retreating to the right, drawing rioters away from senators who were only beginning to scramble to safety.

Heres the scary moment when protesters initially got into the building from the first floor and made their way outside Senate chamber. pic.twitter.com/CfVIBsgywK

Three other officers arrived to back up the first. You need to leave now, one said to the rioters.

Were staying here forever, a protester responds. This is our America.

In the House, Pelosis security detail rushed her to safety.

Thats when we realized things were much closer to where we were than we thought, Jacobs said, watching from the gallery.

As the Senate began to evacuate, there was little evidence of a proper plan. Sen. Todd YoungTodd Christopher Young'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack US Chamber of Commerce to stop supporting some lawmakers following the Capitol riots GOP senator confronted by Trump supporters over electoral challenge: 'The law matters' MORE (R-Ind.) positioned himself near Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMcConnell won't reprise role as chief Trump defender Trumpism must not become the new McCarthyism Republicans wrestle over removing Trump MORE (R-Maine) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiMcConnell won't reprise role as chief Trump defender GOP Sen. Tim Scott opposes impeaching Trump Republicans eye primaries in impeachment vote MORE (R-Alaska) to act as a guard, Collins said later.

What about us?

There was really no order as we got evacuated from the Senate in terms of how senators should group together, said Jordain Carney, who covers the Senate for The Hill.

We were initially told to run but about halfway through a tunnel told we could slow down. [Sen. Dick] Durbins detail pulled him off in a different direction. McConnell had a detail on both sides and they were moving him very quickly. Schumers guy appeared to have him by the back neck area of his jacket.

Greg Nash

Outside the Senate, as Nash hurried past, some of the rioters demanded to know who he worked for. Nash got to a door to the Senate gallery just as doorkeepers were pulling them shut.

They told us to follow them and we ended up in the Senate basement just as senators were evacuating the building. On the walk over I could see staffers were carrying some of the Electoral College certifications, Nash wrote.

Capitol Police began evacuating representatives out of the House chamber. But as they did, they seemed to forget the two dozen or so who were still seated in the gallery.

What about us? shouted Rep. Diana DeGetteDiana Louise DeGette'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack Pelosi names 9 impeachment managers Bipartisan lawmakers call for expedited diabetes research MORE (D-Colo.).

As the House locked down, one frustrated Democrat screamed at Republicans across the chamber: This is your fault!

If there was a plan, that plan had deteriorated, and things were going to get bad quickly. Which they did, Crow, the Colorado Democrat, recalled later. I made the decision to call my wife, tell her that I loved her, to pass that along to the kids, and I was preparing to either make a stand or fight our way out, and I would let her know as soon as I could.

Crow told his colleagues to remove their member pins so they would be less identifiable as targets.

We saw the leadership removed from the chamber. We heard banging on the doors. We were ordered to get our gas masks on. And we proceeded to the exits only to find that there was actually no plan whatsoever. You know, the Capitol Police were improvising, said Rep. Tom MalinowskiThomas (Tom) Malinowski'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack Mo Brooks defends comments at pro-Trump rally after 'vicious and scurrilous' attacks House Democrats unveil resolution to censure Rep. Mo Brooks over Capitol riots MORE (D-N.J.).

The Capitol Police were overwhelmed

Some rioters swarming the building were looking for one target in particular: Pence. Some shouted that they wanted to hang him.

After weeks of the president demonizing the VP for not pledging to overturn the election on his behalf, a power he did not have. https://t.co/LPnmwxdwES

Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceHouse passes measure calling on Pence to remove Trump Trump told Pence he could be a 'patriot' or 'p----' when overseeing election vote: report READ: Pence letter to Pelosi rejecting calls to invoke 25th Amendment MORE didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth! Trump tweeted, at 2:24 p.m.

As rioters walked freely through Statuary Hall, some took up residence in a Capitol office. Someone sparked a joint.

We went in there and then I walked in and theres just a whole bunch of people lighting up in some Oregon room. I dont know if its theres tons of Oregon paintings, but they were smoking a bunch of weed in there, one rioter told a recording camera. Then we moved it down, so many statues. Cops are very cool.

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'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack | TheHill - The Hill