Rep. Haley Stevens sheltering in place due to protests, chaos at U.S. Capitol

(WXYZ) — Rep. Haley Stevens said she is sheltering in place in her office as demonstrators stormed barricades outside the U.S. Capitol.

"I can't believe I have to write this," she tweeted.

Hundreds of demonstrators stormed barricades outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon, at the moment Congress was inside beginning a joint session to accept the Electoral College votes confirming President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential election win, according to eye witness accounts.

Capitol Police have ordered staff to evacuate House Cannon building and the James Madison Memorial Building, which is part of the Library of Congress. There are reports the evacuations are due to a suspicious package in the area, according to CNN.

Trump addressed the crowd earlier in the day, retelling baseless claims of voter fraud in the presidential election and calling on Vice President Mike Pence to send the Electoral College ballots back to the states for a “revote” to keep him as president.

Following Trump’s speech, a group of demonstrators pushed, and then knocked over barricades around the Capitol, according to the Washington Post. The group then reportedly ran through the field toward the Capitol.

Those who made it through were stopped by law enforcement at the Capitol. Officers on the Capitol kept demonstrators off the Capitol steps as the group started chanting.

President Trump has tweeted since the protests began.