Thousands of pro-Trump supporters have broken through police lines to storm the US Capital where the nation's lawmakers were in sitting, certifying the results of the election held in November.
President Trump held a rally in Washington DC and encouraged his supporters to move across to the US Capitol
The definition of sedition is to try to overthrow the rule of law by force, explained CNN presenter Jake Tapper as the Trump supporters tried to stop the constitutional process that was going ahead in the joint sitting of congress.
President Donald Trump wanted his Vice-President to over-rule the results of the election during the certification debate. It was reported that Mike Pence had explained to the President that his role was purely ceremonial and that he had no power to overturn the results of the election.
Pence's decision to abide by the US Constitution and not overrule the election results angered Trump and he tweeted to demonstrate his anger.
The mayor of Washington DC has ordered a 6pm curfew because the protests have turned violent.
This is a developing story
21:49 Reports of shots fired on the floor of the Capitol building
21:50 CNN reports that Vice President Mike Pence has been evacuated from the building
21:52 All senators and congressmen have been told to put on gas masks as police use tear gas to try to disperse protesters who are try to take over the capitol building.
22:20 Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger tells CNN that he believes that this is a coup attempt. He calls Trump's tweet asking protesters to remain calm 'cowardice'. He added that the Pentagon should do everything that it is requested to take back control of the situation.
22:27 CNN reports that a woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on Capitol grounds. No further details available.
22: 30 Police from Maryland, Virginia and other surrounding areas called in to support Washington DC police after reports that the Department of Defense has declined to mobilise the DC National Guard despite requests by the Mayor and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
22:46 Vice President Mike Pence says "This attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated."
08:30 The woman who was shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds has died from her injuries. It has been announced that she was a veteran who had served in the US armed forces. In addition another 3 people have died after the violence that ensued when thousands of pro-Trump supporters broke into the US Capital building where lawmakers were finalising the results of the recent Presidential election. Earlier at a rally outside the White House President Donald Trump had called on his supporters there to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capital building to take their country back. He said that he would be with them, however he watched the violence happen from the west wing of the White House.