Protesters break into the Capital claiming to be Trump supporters. XRVision confirmed with facial recognition software that some of the people who were storming the Capitol were extremists in MAGA gear.
Below is a link to a video on Twitter showing Capitol police opening the doors and allowing people to come in through one entrance.
https://twitter.com/christina_bobb/status/1347596278583197698?s=20
WASHINGTON – It appears there was a mix of protesters claiming to be supporters of President Donald Trump and legitimate supporters of Trump who stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. There was clashing with police and it forced a delay in the constitutional process to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Trump supporters at the event believed people clad with Trump gear had infiltrated the event to cause trouble and make the whole group look bad.
According to a person who was interviewed, many of the people who weren’t in front of the crowd storming the building were unaware of what was happening and thought the building was open for them to tour. They said once they entered they could tell something wasn’t right and they turned around and left.
Facial recognition firm XRVision provided some identification of three men who broke into the Capitol as stated in a blog from Yaacov Apelbaum, the CTO of XRVision, according to his LINKEDIN page. He said, “Shortly after the rioting started, XRVision performed an analysis on the video footage and identified several individuals. This information was shared with Federal LEA. We concluded that two of the individuals were affiliated with the Maryland Skinheads and the National Socialist Movements. These two are known Nazi organizations; they are not Antifa.”
“A lot of people have been asking me about the identity of the individuals from the Capital Building Riots. Here is a deeper dive into one of the ring leaders.”
Jake Angeli who is seen in the hat with fur and horns is known to have been at previous protests supporting Trump and QAnon. He also apparently is an actor, voice over artist and singer.
Another man, John Sullivan, Founder of Insurgence USA was featured on CNN with Anderson Cooper. Sullivan was part of the crowd inside the Capitol and filmed Ashli Bobbit, who appeared to be an avid Trump supporter, after she was shot and killed. He claimed to be in the Capitol to film the protest. Below is a tweet from John Sulllivan’s Twitter page where he has #antifa, #BLM and is calling on followers to meet in DC and “burn it all down.” The video below the interview shows him inciting violence previously.
Below are some videos from Journalist Andy Ngo who follows protests around the country.
John Earle Sullivan, who was inside the Capitol building during the siege on Wednesday, previously gave a speech in BLM Plaza in DC in August 2020 where he identifies as being part of an insurgency group & calls for a violent left-wing revolution. pic.twitter.com/6XeaTHmPlh
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) January 8, 2021
The FBI released a statement asking people for help identifying protestors. “The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounding area in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021.
“If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant at fbi.gov/USCapitol.”
Three local ladies, including Debi Barnett Foli, who went to the DC event wrote to Valley News, “We saw ANTIFA come thru. Patriots were peaceful and friendly, helpful and caring. People from all over the U.S.”
Scott Morrison, a Trump supporter who commented on Facebook wrote, “OUR people did NOT storm the capital! That scaffolding was just like the pallets of bricks in Minnesota! However, these … could NOT incite US to riot. It’s another lie. Why can’t the left just open ONE eye. I don’t think they’re ALL evil ….. just their “bosses”.
U.S. Capitol Police confirmed Thursday that the USCP Hazardous Materials Response Team found devices outside of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee, a few blocks from the Capitol, that could have caused “great harm.”
Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol, including Trump supporters, and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.
Before the Nov. 4 election, an ANTIFA chapter sent out on social media a reminder for members to disguise themselves as Trump supporters by wearing the distinctive red Make American Great Again (MAGA) hats.
“On Nov. 4 don’t forget to disguise yourselves as patriots/Trump supporters. Wear MAGA hats. USA flags. A convincing police uniform is even better. This way police and patriots responding to US won’t know who their enemies are and onlookers and the media will think there are Trump supporters rioting so it’s harder to turn popular opinion against us.”
A young man who claimed to be a Trump supporter was being interviewed after the breach. He said that they, as a crowd, were all being pushed forward. He said someone broke the glass and then they were pushed inside the building.
As reported by KUSI, a young woman named Ashli Babbit, a 14-year veteran, who served four tours with the US Air Force, and was a high level security official throughout her time in service was shot and killed inside the US Capitol. The shooting is being investigated and the officer who shot her has been placed on administrative leave.
President Donald Trump urged supporters to “stay peaceful” after Congress was forced to go into lockdown amid clashes between protesters and police at the Capitol Building.
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law and Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!” Trump wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.
A chaplain prayed as police guarded the doors to the chamber and lawmakers tried to gather information about what was happening, and an announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
Protesters were also seen inside the Senate chamber. One got up on the dais and yelled “Trump won that election.”
Congressional leaders were whisked to safety. Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris, who was attending the joint session, and was also said to be safe.
At an earlier rally, Trump had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. After alleged Trump protesters clashed with law enforcement and breached the Capitol building, Trump tweeted to his supporters to “stay peaceful.”
“Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement,” Trump tweeted, as tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. “They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
“We’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them,” Trump said.
Trump was then banned from Twitter.
Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The District of Columbia’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 p.m.
The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.
A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.
The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters reciting claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress’ vote.
“We will not let them silence your voices,” Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president.
