Arizona Lawmakers Condemn Protests As U.S. Capitol Breached

ARIZONA — The U.S. Capitol dissolved into chaos Wednesday afternoon as armed supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the building, forcing the evacuation of the House and Senate chambers.

One person was treated for a gunshot wound at the Capitol, a Washington, D.C., paramedic told the Washington, D.C. Fox News affiliate.

All members of Arizona's delegation have said they are safe, according to The Arizona Republic.

The breach began not long after Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona objected to the state's election results during a joint session to count the Nov. 3 Electoral College votes as both chambers were in the middle of a two-hour debate.

In a tweet after he was evacuated, along with an image of protesters scaling the Capitol wall, Gosar said he only intended for his objection to result in an audit of the results.

"Let's not get carried away here," he tweeted, urging supporters to stop. "I don't want anyone hurt. We are protesting the violation of our laws. We are builders not destroyers. BLM burns and loots. We build. If anyone on the ground reads this and is beyond the line come back."

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted that the scene at the Capitol "has no place in our form of government" and urged other lawmakers to denounce the siege.

Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego tweeted images of armed protestors in the Capitol as he was taken, along with other lawmakers, to a secure place. He also called for members of the U.S. National Guard to step in and help Capitol police officers contain the scene. He was heard telling other lawmakers how to use gas masks as tear gas filled the building, according to tweets from HuffPost reporter Matt Fuller, who was in the chamber when the breach began.

"I am safe. Democracy is not," he wrote. "We need National Guard to clear the Capitol so we can continue with our jobs."

He also sparred with Arizona GOP Leader Kelli Ward, who tweeted that Congress had adjourned; Congress is currently in recess while the protestors are contained but has not yet adjourned for the day. Ward was the plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging fraud in Maricopa County's election, which was later tossed out by the Arizona Supreme Court.

In response to Ward, Gallego tweeted, "F--- you we are. Democracy will not die tonight."

While not in Washington, D.C., Republican Arizona Senator-elect T.J. Shope also spoke out against "all types of political violence and destruction of property" regardless of the cause.

Trump himself issued a call for peace amid the chaos, tweeting, "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"

Republican State Rep. Mark Finchem of Oro Valley posted a photo of the crowd on the steps of the Capitol with the caption, writing “What happens when the People feel they have been ignored, and Congress refuses to acknowledge rampant fraud.”

Finchem has led the charge alleging fraud in Arizona's elections. He held an unauthorized hearing at a downtown Phoenix hotel with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Nov. 30, as Arizona leaders certified the state's election results. To date, no evidence of fraud has been found in Arizona.

Finchem was also joined in Washington by fellow State Rep. Anthony Kern, a Republican from Glendale who lost his reelection campaign in November.