Trump was expected to address his supporters later in the morning during a rally on the Ellipse.
Lou Murray, a life insurance salesman from Boston, said he and many others still hoped Congress and Vice President Mike Pence would not certify the vote. “I hope Vice President Pence has courage today, and I hope any politician who thinks he has a future shows courage to stand up and do what s right,” Murray said.
About an hour before Trump was set to speak, there were long, dense lines at security checkpoints near the White House. At the Lincoln Memorial, dozens of Trump supporters stood on the steps with large Trump flags.
Trump supporters rally near White House awaiting president
People wait to hear speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the Save America Rally. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
With the Washington Monument in the background, people wait to hear from speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the Save America Rally. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
People wait to hear speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the Save America Rally. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Trump tells supporters he will never concede presidential election
Trump s remarks come just hours before members of the House and Senate gather at the Capitol to accept the vote of the Electoral College. Author: BEN FOX (ASHRAF KHALIL and MICHAEL BALSAMO, Associated Press) Published: 9:45 AM CST January 6, 2021 Updated: 12:40 PM CST January 6, 2021
President Donald Trump is vowing that “we will never concede” as he speaks to supporters shortly before Congress is to convene for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College vote won by President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump took the stage at the Save America rally, which drew thousands of supporters who swamped the nation’s capital as the president’s Republican allies in the House and Senate plan to object to his November election loss to Biden.
The U.S. Capitol Police said it was evacuated areas near the building as pro-Trump protesters stormed barricades set up outside the perimeter, and law enforcement officers were seen trying to push them back.
The Library of Congress, located directly across the street from the main Capitol building, was evacuated and people were told to remain calm and move in a safe manner to the exits.
Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., tweeted that she had to evacuate her congressional office because a pipe bomb was reported outside the Capitol. Supporters of the President are trying to force their way into the Capitol and I can hear what sounds like multiple gunshots, Luria tweeted.