Signs, Podiums, TV Equipment: Trump Supporters Loot And Destroy During Capitol Hill Takeover

TOPLINE Along with shutting down the proceedings of the U.S. Congress and forcing lawmakers to flee to safety during an important vote on the presidential election, the pro-Trump mob that stormed through the Capitol on Wednesday stole equipment, ripped down signs, and damaged property—brazen actions they could be prosecuted for, many of which were caught on camera. 

KEY FACTS

In a photo snapped by Getty Images, an unidentified vandal wearing a “Trump” ski cap appeared to steal House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) podium, all while smiling and waving at the camera.

A Trump supporter carries a podium around the U.S. Capitol after protesters breached the Capitol Building during a joint session of #Congress in Washington, DC 📷: @WinMc pic.twitter.com/lsF7wg6BI5

— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) January 6, 2021

Trump supporters took over Pelosi’s office, upending tables, ripping down pictures, and removing a sign posted by the entrance to be used as a “trophy,” according to the New York Times.

Among the terrorists invading Capitol today was a man (left) wearing a sweatshirt saying, “Camp Auschwitz”:@mikedebonis pic.twitter.com/NxhjdPqXBG

— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) January 7, 2021

Richard Barnett, 60, from Gravette, Arkansas, posed for the New York Times with a note stolen from Pelosi’s office, saying he didn’t steal it because he “left a quarter” on Pelosi’s desk.

That’s Richard “Bigo” Barnett, 60, from Gravette, Ak., showing off the personalized envelope he took from Speaker Pelosi’s office. He insisted he didn’t steal it — “I left a quarter on her desk.” pic.twitter.com/aST7MCoRwP

— Matthew Rosenberg (@AllMattNYT) January 6, 2021

As they attempted to break inside the Capitol, crowds of Trump supporters shattered windows all across the Capitol in footage caught on tape.

Pro-Trump rioters shatter a window at the US Capitol and enter the building https://t.co/7V2SR34L6F pic.twitter.com/wxkZCA7B1A

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 6, 2021

Outside the Capitol, a group of Associated Press reporters were chased from their camera equipment by rioters, prompting a crowd to then destroy it. 

Inter-MAGA argument breaking out where one guy is urging the crowd to let the process play out.

That's not going over well.

"Fuck the process!" says one person. "I'm 44 years old I've been getting fucked by the process my whole life."

— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) January 6, 2021

Forbes has reached out to Pelosi’s office and the Capitol police about the extent of the damage. 

NOT SO BIG NUMBER 

13. That’s how many people have been arrested as of 5:30 p.m. EST, according to D.C. police. 

TANGENT

A photo of Barnett sitting in Pelosi’s office went viral on Wednesday.

Extremist who took over Nancy Pelosi’s office, per Fox News. pic.twitter.com/byRnH8U93n

— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) January 6, 2021

WHAT TO WATCH FOR 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser did not say whether rioters would be arrested if they stayed out past the mandated 6 p.m. EST curfew on Wednesday in an interview with CNN. At the Capitol, trespassers have been told they must leave by 6 p.m. or be arrested, according to Politico. 

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“Electoral College ballots rescued from the Senate floor,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said on Twitter. “If our capable floor staff hadn’t grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob.” 

Electoral college ballots rescued from the Senate floor. If our capable floor staff hadn’t grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob. pic.twitter.com/2JCauUIlvg

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 6, 2021

by Jack Brewster, Forbes Staff