Live Updates: Jan. 6 Capitol Riots Fact Checks

On Jan. 6, 2021, Congress began the electoral process to count votes for the president of the United States. Journalists on the ground reported that the U.S. Capitol Building was in lockdown, and that Trump-supporting rioters had broken down barriers. This liveblog will be updated when news comes in.

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• Fact Check: Were Requests to Deploy National Guard Initially Denied?  
• Fact Check: Did Trump Say He Loved Capitol Mob?  
• Fact Check: Did Rudy Giuliani Call for a ‘Trial by Combat’?
• Fact Check: Did Police Munitions Light Up the Capitol During Riots
• Fact Check: Did Twitter Temporarily Ban Trump?
• Fact Check: Does Video Show Capitol Police Opening Gates for Rioters?
• News: Former President Barack Obama Reacts to Capitol Violence
• News: Melania Trump’s Chief of Staff Resigns
• News: West Virginia Lawmaker Among Rioters in Capitol
• Fact Check: Did Apple Block Directions to US Capitol?
• News: RNC Releases Statement on Capitol Violence
• News: VP Press Sec Says Pence Has Returned to Senate
• News: Capitol Violence Makes History
• Fact Check: Does Pic Show Troops during BLM Protests?
• Fact Check: Did Trump Threaten to Prosecute Anyone Who Damaged Federal Buildings?  
• Fact Check: Do Photos Show Guns Drawn in US House Chamber?
• Fact Check: Was a Noose Hung Across from the US Capitol?
• News: Speaker Pelosi Says “We Should Proceed Tonight”
• Fact Check: Did Georgia Poll Workers Hide ‘Suitcases’ of Ballots?
• Fact Check: Did Trump Tell Supporters to Storm Capitol?
• News: Former President George W. Bush Issues Statement
• Fact Check: Does a Photo Podium Taken by Rioter?
• News: NBC News Reports Woman Killed at Capitol
• Fact Check: Did Pence Unfollow Trump?
• News: Facebook VP of Integrity Confirms Removal of Trump Video
• News: Update on Capitol Security
• News: Hillary Clinton Tweets on Capitol Violence
• Fact Check: Rioters Broke into Capitol with Flagpole?
• News: VP-elect Kamala Harris Tweets about Violence
• Fact Check: Confederate Flag Raised outside Capitol?
• Fact Check: Can Veep Play ‘Pence Card’?
• Voter Fraud Rumors Stories
• Fact Check: Ivanka Trump Called Mob ‘Patriots’?
• Fact Check: Shots Fired in Capitol?
• News: Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls for Trump Impeachment
• Fact Check: Was Pence Rushed out of Capitol?
• News: Trump Posts Video on Social Media
• Fact Check: Antifa Flyer Said to Pose as Trump Supporters after Election?
• News: President-elect Biden Addresses Capitol Violence
• Fact Check: Cross Erected at Capitol?
• AP: National Guard, federal police en route
• Fact Check: Did Antifa Storm Capitol?
• Fact Check: Sinclair Lewis on Fascism
• Fact Check: 50,000 Ballots Suspiciously Appeared in Georgia?
• News: VP Pence Tweets about Capitol Violence
• News: Rioter Photographed in Chamber
• News: U.S. Capitol Building on Lockdown
• News: VP Pence Rushed off Floor
• Fact Check: Does This Photo Show a Crowded MAGA Demonstration?

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Fact Check: Were Requests to Deploy National Guard Initially Denied?

9:13pm ET/6:13pm PT

There's still factors that are undetermined here. https://t.co/NOTV1iMBKP

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Trump Say He Loved Capitol Mob?

8:55pm ET/5:55pm PT

✅ True: In a video posted to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he loved his rioting supporters. https://t.co/Hiulju34gW pic.twitter.com/T01DLSfGZ4

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Rudy Giuliani Call for a ‘Trial by Combat’?

8:49pm ET/5:49pm PT

✅ Yes, Rudy Giuliani did call for a "trial by combat" before the violent pro-Trump mob descended on the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/PJFpRHTMDT pic.twitter.com/eebLdrsF16

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Police Munitions Light Up the Capitol During Riots?

8:39pm ET/5:39pm PT

✅ This is a real photograph. https://t.co/MXF9sjEIFH pic.twitter.com/NAAvg0mwzF

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Twitter Temporarily Ban Trump?

8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT

✅ Yes, Twitter locked Trump's account. https://t.co/ubSWUYduP8 pic.twitter.com/tKnyIxlnyP

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Does Video Show Capitol Police Opening Gates for Rioters?

8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT

We look at the video, frame by frame. https://t.co/GcqKwmbEAu

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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News: Former President Barack Obama Reacts to Capitol Violence

7:56pm ET/4:56pm PT

Here’s my statement on today’s violence at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/jLCKo2D1Ya

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 7, 2021

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News: Stephanie Grisham, Chief of Staff for Melania Trump, Resigns

7:31pm ET/4:31pm PT

Stephanie Grisham, the former White House communications director, press secretary and current chief of staff for first lady Melania Trump, resigns over the violent protests https://t.co/N1ImoO0VzP

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 7, 2021

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News: West Virginia Lawmaker Among Rioters in Capitol

7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT

In a video by Republican Del. Derrick Evans, later deleted from his social media page, he is shown wearing a helmet and clamoring at the door to breach the building in Washington, D.C. https://t.co/oei2hGUpc8

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Apple Block Directions to US Capitol?

7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT

❌ False. There is no evidence that these screenshots, if authentic, represent anything other than a bug or user error. https://t.co/Rn6D4s6bw2

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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News: RNC Releases Statement on Capitol Violence

7:22pm ET/4:22pm PT

JUST IN: RNC releases statement: “The members of the Republican National Committee strongly condemn the violence in and around the United States Capitol Building today in Washington, DC." https://t.co/OVfPBBbo6w pic.twitter.com/JFzUb6RIho

— ABC News (@ABC) January 7, 2021

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News: VP Press Sec Says Pence Has Returned to Senate

7:12pm ET/4:12pm PT

Vice President @Mike_Pence has returned to the Senate. He never left the Capitol.@VP was in regular contact w/ House & Senate leadership, Cap Police, DOJ, & DoD to facilitate efforts to secure the Capitol & reconvene Congress.

And now we will finish the People’s business.

— Devin O’Malley (@VPPressSec) January 7, 2021

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News: Capitol Has Seen Violence over 220 Years, But Not Like This

7:01pm ET/4:01pm PT

In more than 220 years, the U.S. Capitol had seen nothing like it: a roiling mob, forcing its way past its majestic marble columns, disrupting the passage of power, desecrating the seat of the world’s greatest democracy. https://t.co/tIsHpkjPkm

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 7, 2021

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Fact Check: Does Pic Show National Guard Troops Protecting Lincoln Memorial During BLM Protests?

6:56pm ET/3:56pm PT

✅ Yes, this is a real photograph of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. during BLM protests in June. https://t.co/CXyzATkc2n pic.twitter.com/reP1QZNObn

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Trump Threaten to Prosecute Anyone Who Damaged Federal Buildings?

6:49pm ET/3:49pm PT

✅ Yes, this is a genuine tweet from July. https://t.co/rUAjjvoR98 pic.twitter.com/5I2vjUsA1S

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Do Photos Show Guns Drawn in US House Chamber?

6:44pm ET/3:44pm PT

✅ Yes, these photos taken in the U.S. House Chambers of the U.S. Capitol show Capitol police officers with guns drawn. https://t.co/m7OL1R1UHs pic.twitter.com/I8uEtDZ3f3

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Was a Noose Hung Across from the US Capitol?

6:35pm ET/3:35pm PT

✅ Yes, this is a genuine photograph of a noose that was erected across from the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/f2dLlpLbwR pic.twitter.com/mwPhsv7yqY

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: Speaker Pelosi Says “We Should Proceed Tonight”

6:29pm ET/3:29pm PT

NEW from Speaker Pelosi: "In consultation with Leader Hoyer and Whip Clyburn and after calls to the Pentagon, the Justice Department and the Vice President, we have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use." pic.twitter.com/aklYAn3PGG

— Grace Panetta (@grace_panetta) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Georgia Poll Workers Hide ‘Suitcases’ of Ballots From Republican Observers?

6:14pm ET/3:14pm PT

❌ No, Georgia poll workers did not hide "suitcases of ballots" from Republican observers. https://t.co/pVGEy7QGNH pic.twitter.com/8KVxCikgVQ

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Trump Tell Supporters to Storm US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021?

6:11pm ET/3:11pm PT

The rhetorical strategy Donald Trump used during his address is known to scholars of white nationalist and extremist groups. https://t.co/sFreq9zjTC

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: Former President George W. Bush Issues Statement

5:58pm ET/2:58pm PT

George W. Bush:

"I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement." pic.twitter.com/24S2TDtTfy

— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Does a Photo Show Rioter Snatching a Podium in the US Capitol?

5:53pm ET/2:53pm PT

✅ We're not sure if the podium made it out of the building, but the photograph is real. https://t.co/XiTR1AY9FL pic.twitter.com/mVyk0UJTD3

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: NBC News Reports Woman Killed at Capitol

5:48pm ET/2:48pm PT

BREAKING: The woman has died, several law enforcement officials say – @PeteWilliamsNBC https://t.co/iwXCYHj6IT

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Pence Unfollow Trump on Twitter Following Jan. 6 DC Riots?

5:47pm ET/2:47pm PT

❌ No, Vice President Pence did not unfollow Donald Trump. This is pretty easily disproven. https://t.co/MUL3hUWchD pic.twitter.com/03cSTKNShX

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: Facebook VP of Integrity Confirms Removal of Trump Video

5:43pm ET/2:43pm PT

This is an emergency situation and we are taking appropriate emergency measures, including removing President Trump's video. We removed it because on balance we believe it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence.

— Guy Rosen (@guyro) January 6, 2021

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News: Update on Capitol Security

5:34pm ET/2:34pm PT

Sergeant at Arms says the Capitol building is secure.

The room breaks out into applause.

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) January 6, 2021

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News: Hillary Clinton Tweets on Capitol Violence

5:31pm ET/2:31pm PT

Today, domestic terrorists attacked a foundation of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power following free elections.

We must reestablish the rule of law and hold them accountable.

Democracy is fragile. Our leaders must live up to their responsibility to protect it.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Rioters Break into US Capitol Using American Flagpole?

5:15pm ET/2:15pm PT

✅ True: Rioters did break into the U.S. Capitol using a flagpole. https://t.co/rW98ehXOQv

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: VP-elect Kamala Harris Tweets about Violence

5:11pm ET/2:11pm PT

I join President-elect @JoeBiden in calling for the assault on the Capitol and our nation’s public servants to end, and as he said, “allow the work of democracy to go forward.”

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Was the Confederate Flag Raised at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.?

5:06pm ET/2:06pm PT

✅ Yes, the Confederate flag was spotted inside and outside the U.S. Capitol as a pro-Trump mob stormed the building. https://t.co/JxHPc6StUy pic.twitter.com/IzStiwa5OQ

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Can Veep Play the ‘Pence Card’ and Reject US Election Results?

5:02pm ET/2:02pm PT

❌ False. There is no "Pence card" to play. https://t.co/TfVl1PkXMT pic.twitter.com/ofj6I9Jveh

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Voter Fraud Rumors Stories

❌ No evidence supports that was the case. See our fact checks of 2020 voter fraud rumors here: https://t.co/P0PwFoiiHt pic.twitter.com/9J7EooZi8p

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Ivanka Trump Call a Capitol-Storming Mob ‘Patriots’?

4:43pm ET/1:43pm PT

✅ Yes, Ivanka Trump posted a tweet referring to a violent mob storming the Capitol as “American Patriots.” https://t.co/VRB4SSPhIY pic.twitter.com/adcKU3vQTY

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Were Shots Fired Inside Capitol During Electoral Count Riots?

4:40pm ET/1:40pm PT

✅ True. https://t.co/DJIk4HPlhT

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls for Trump Impeachment

4:38pm ET/1:38pm PT

I am drawing up Articles of Impeachment.

Donald J. Trump should be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate.

We can’t allow him to remain in office, it’s a matter of preserving our Republic and we need to fulfill our oath.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Was Pence Rushed out of Capitol?

4:22pm ET/1:22pm PT

✅ Yes, Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the U.S. Capitol as he was overseeing debate over the certification of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ victory. https://t.co/kfMHWc94a9 pic.twitter.com/QIuXUDGzKW

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: Trump Posts Video on Social Media

4:17pm ET/1:17pm PT

pic.twitter.com/Pm2PKV0Fp3

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did an Antifa Flyer Tell ‘Comrades’ to Pose as Trump Supporters and Riot After Election Day?

❌ This is not a real flyer. https://t.co/X101vu36kV pic.twitter.com/xKfI697T29

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: President-elect Biden Addresses Capitol Violence

4:07pm ET/1:07pm PT

BREAKING LIVE: President-elect Biden addresses the nation as Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol.https://t.co/01SywyZ7fR

— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Was a Cross Erected in Front of Capitol Building at Jan. 6 Protests?

3:58pm ET/12:58pm PT

❌ This is not in front of the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/KJl9RxCZGM pic.twitter.com/dVNRs6dq7P

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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AP: National Guard, federal police en route

3:52pm ET/12:52pm PT

National Guard, federal police en route to U.S. Capitol to assist in ending occupation by Trump supporters, White House says. Virginia also sending state troopers. https://t.co/szfM4JZaH2

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Were Pro-Trump Mobs Storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 Actually Antifa?

3:49pm ET/12:49pm PT

There is absolutely no evidence for this. https://t.co/eKvAvVwObP

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Did Sinclair Lewis Say This about Fascism in America?

Although that statement sounds like a sentiment Sinclair Lewis would have agreed with, there’s no record of his actually writing or saying it.https://t.co/NowofAmyfs pic.twitter.com/157ubnIAqk

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: 50,000 Ballots Suspiciously Appeared in Georgia?

3:37pm ET/12:37pm PT

❌ No, 50,000 ballots did not suspiciously appear at polls overnight during the Georgia Senate runoffs. https://t.co/oNrVsN0YyQ

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: VP Pence Tweets about Capitol Violence

3:35pm ET/12:35pm PT

The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021

Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021

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News: Rioter Photographed in Chamber

2:47pm ET/11:47am PT

They’re in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling “Trump won that election!” This is insane pic.twitter.com/p6CXhBDSFT

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021

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News: U.S. Capitol Building on Lockdown

2:37pm ET/11:37am PT

The building is currently under lockdown. https://t.co/kj5YtPF1ni

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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News: VP Pence Rushed off Floor

2:07pm ET/11:07am PT

UPDATE: Vice President Pence has been rushed off the floor.

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 6, 2021

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Fact Check: Does This Photo Show a Crowded MAGA Demonstration?

11:53am ET/9:53am PT

❌ No it is not. This photo is from the March for Our Lives in 2018. https://t.co/LFK2KWU2xh pic.twitter.com/XqWsTmdkr2

— snopes.com (@snopes) January 6, 2021

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