What began as a rally in support of President Donald Trump and in protest of Congress’s attempt to certify the Electoral College results, confirming Joe Biden as the president-elect, quickly turned into chaos, as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
The insurrection caused a lockdown of both the House and Senate chambers. A woman was shot and killed in the Capitol Building, though the circumstances are still undetermined.
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The mob continued committing acts of violence and destruction as members of Congress, their staffs and those working in the capitol were evacuated.
Philadelphia Inquirer photojournalists Heather Khalifa and Jessica Griffin were in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to document the extraordinary events that unfolded.
— Rachel Molenda, Digital photo editor
Supporters of President Trump march underneath a large American flag following a “Save America” rally in Washington.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
The nails of Rubya Rangel, of Dallas, are photographed as she holds a Trump cutout during a “Save America” rally.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Nuns who support President Donald Trump pose for photos at the conclusion of the rally.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd during a “Save America” rally.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Supporters of President Trump turn to the media and yell while the he speaks.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
A mob of Trump supporters climbs over over fallen barricades outside the capitol in Washington.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Rioters climb scaffolding and takes to the steps of the U.S. Capitol.Read moreHeather Khalifa / File Photograph
A pro-Trump mob scales a staircase at the capitol building after pushing past police barriers.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The mob was initially outside police barricades.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A mob at the U.S. Capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Rioters and police battle at the doorway of the U.S. Capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A rioter is bleeding after an injury sustained while trying to push past police.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A Trump demonstrator walks away from conflict with police after struggling with a chemical irritant.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A mob tries to break down the door of the capitol building after some got inside.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A rioter with a bat breaks a window at the capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A Trump supporter outside the U.S. Capitol building.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A mob engages with police trying to get past the barriers outside the capitol building.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Trump supporters outside the U.S. Capitol building following a "Stop the Steal" rally.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Rioters who pushed past police barriers climbed scaffolding at the capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Demonstrators scale the Capitol Building.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Trump demonstrators stretched from the Washington Monument to the Capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Smoke can be seen outside of the U.S. Capitol while police disperse the crowd hours after a mob of Trump supporters breached the building.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Police clear a doorway that was previously under attack with what appears to be a flash grenade and tear gas.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Police and rioters face off at the doorway of the Capital Building, after rioters tried fo repeatedly force their way in, police used tear gas to disperse the people around 5pm.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Police push a mob back away from the front of the capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
Rioters wear gas masks at the capitol.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
People hold a small prayer while others retreat from the U.S. Capitol building and down Constitution Ave. shortly after a mob of Trump supporters breached the building.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Police guard the Capitol Building after rioters were dispersed with tear gas.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A mob of Trump supporters take to the Capitol steps in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 06, 2021. The mob breached the U.S. Capitol building following the “Save America” rally, as Congress was preparing to certify President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Police standby to barricade the grounds of the U.S. Capitol building hours after a mob of Trump supporters storm the building.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
Police use tear gas to disperse the remainder of the crowd at the U.S. Capitol hours after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building.Read moreHEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer
In my work as a photojournalist I tell compelling stories through powerful images. My work often involves long-term projects that explore deeper photo narratives, documenting the human experience over time.
