President-elect Joe Biden's win has been certified by a joint session of lawmakers after a violent day that claimed four lives in Washington D.C.
Representatives and Senators approved the results of November's election during a second joint session late last night that stretched into the early morning hours Thursday.
The session wrapped up a day of violent protests that claimed the lives of four people after pro-Trump demonstrators breached the Capitol Building, forcing an evacuation.
The Associated Press said a woman died after she was shot, and three other people suffered medical emergencies during the violence and passed away.
CNN also reported that a police officer had been seriously injured.
Police said they found a pair of pipe bombs in the building after protesters broke windows and entered the offices of politicians, including that of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1346921678555783169
Biden called on President Donald Trump to quell the violence, calling it an "unprecedented assault on democracy in the United States."
"To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks, on the Capitol, on the House of Representatives, threatening the safety of duly elected officials, it's not a protest. It's insurrection," said Biden.
President-elect Biden addresses the nation: https://t.co/BXM3SZK25R
— Biden-Harris Presidential Transition (@Transition46) January 6, 2021
Instead, a video recorded by Trump repeated false claims about election fraud while calling on rioters to restore and respect law and order.
"Go home, we love you, you're very special," said Trump. "I know how you feel but go home and go home in peace."
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
U.S. Capitol Police eventually needed the help of the National Guard to help clear the Capitol, and it was declared secure shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Following the certification of the electoral college ballots, Trump promised a peaceful transition of power on January 20, when Biden is inaugurated.
-with files from Maureen Revait and Adelle Loiselle.