WASHINGTON (WSVN) — As security is stepped up in the nation’s capital days before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, newly released video captured the chaos that unfolded when a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.
The footage, posted by The New Yorker on Sunday, captured mostly maskless rioters outside and inside the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“Start making a list, put all those names down and we start hunting them down, one by one,” said one demonstrator.
The video, shot by war correspondent Luke Mogelson, showed a fake hanging scaffolding and a noose outside the Capitol.
Moments later, the crowd was seen rushing past Capitol Police just before they breached the building.
Once inside, several members of the crowd made it clear they were following directions from President Donald Trump himself.
“While we’re here, we might as well set up a government,” a protester was heard saying as rioters made their way inside the floor of the U.S. Senate.
The footage also captured one of the demonstrators rifling through documents in the well of the Senate.
“There’s got to be something we can use against these [expletive] scumbags,” he is heard saying in the video.
Others appeared to make references to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was going to object to Arizona’s electoral votes.
After making their way into the Capitol, the crowd met some resistance from officers, but one moment on the Senate floor captured on video tells another story.
“Any chance I can get you guys to leave the Senate wing?” asked an officer.
“No,” said one demonstrator.
“We will, I’ve been making sure they ain’t disrespecting the place,” said another demonstrator.
“OK. Just want to let you guys know this is like, the sacredest place,” said the officer.
“I know,” replied the demonstrator.
One demonstrator warned others to be careful.
“Look, I love you guys, we’re brothers, but we can’t be disrespectful,” he said.
“They can steal an election but we can’t sit in their chair?” said a demonstrator.
“No!” the man said.
As of Sunday night, federal officers have opened 275 criminal investigations, and 100 people have been taken into custody.
Nearly two weeks after the riots, much of Washington, D.C., is in lockdown. The center of the city is blocked by trucks, fences and barricades.
Among those witnessing the heightened security Sunday night were Columbia, Maryland resident Maria Miller and her family.
“I do think it’s incredibly sad. It’s a really terrible juxtaposition of wanting to have a peaceful transition of power, but having to have this level of security,” she said. “It’s not what I think about when I think about American democracy.”
The Millers are no strangers to the neighborhood surrounding the Capitol, but they said it no longer feels so familiar.
“We’ve never seen it like this, ever,” said Dennis Miller.
“Like, surreal, because we were out there four or five months ago for the Black Likes Matter protest, and it’s a completely different environment and mood now,” said Matthias Miller.
George Washington University student Kirsten Pullen said the security measures have transformed sections of the city.
“Part of the city is just different. It’s a different mood. It’s obviously tense,” she said.
Pullen, who has family ties in South Florida, said she had hoped to attend the inauguration.
“The entire campus was really excited about it,” she said. “I think GW normally has a big party for the Inauguration Ball.”
Learning she would not be able to be present as Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are sworn in Wednesday is something that Pullen found “incredibly disappointing.”
Instead, those in the nation’s capital are surrounded by empty streets and boarded up businesses.
Most of Black Lives Matter Plaza, an area in front of the White House known for protests, is blocked by fencing and concrete barricades. Sixteenth Street, which leads to the plaza and Lafayette Park and then the White House, is blocked off in all directions.
Eleventh Street is normally very busy, but on Sunday it was nearly empty. Just beyond a tent that has been set up is Pennsylvania Avenue. On the other side of buildings nearby is the National Mall, but it is off-limits to the general public this week. In fact, the entire intersection is shut down.
In an interview that aired Sunday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her concerns about security in the rest of the city ahead of and during the inauguration.
“I’m also concerned about other parts of Washington, D.C. What you’re showing is, really, the federal enclave of Washington, D.C., not where the 700,000 of us live,” she said.
Bowser said law enforcement and the military have a plan if neighborhoods are threatened.
As for Pullen, she said she plans to remain indoors on Wednesday.
“With our safety, not only for COVID, but having the National Guard come in, it’s much better that we’re staying at home,” she said.
“It’s kind of like ominous, like people feel something, and it’s just not the same anymore,” said Matthias Miller.
There are many road closures in place throughout the city, so it is difficult to get around by car. According to alerts from the Secret Service, those closures will continue to expand before the inauguration.
Authorities have arrested several people trying to get in through the barricades over the past several days, but the weekend has remained peaceful in D.C.
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