U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips took cover and reached for the gas mask under his seat on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon as a riotous mob that had already breached the Capitol complex was about to break onto the House floor.
"This is because of you!" the Democratic lawmaker from Minnesota yelled in disbelief, his anger directed at Republican colleagues he felt bore responsibility.
"Run," Capitol police told Phillips and other members of Congress as they followed security through smoke-filled hallways echoing with loud screams and bangs to a secure location.
Minnesota's congressional delegation hunkered down around the Capitol complex as supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the building in an attempt to block them from certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
Lawmakers posted on social media as the chaos unfolded, telling constituents they were safe and urging peace.
"We can't let these criminals that left such a stain on our country today win, and we will show them that by returning to that very chamber tonight, continuing our proceedings and fulfilling our obligation and certifying the election," Phillips said later, not long before the House and Senate returned for evening sessions.
Rep. Angie Craig was walking through the Capitol's tunnels to her office when people started breaking into the building. The Democratic congresswoman said she was told to lock herself in her office, turn off the lights and get out her gas mask.
She hid there as calls and texts streamed in from family, friends and constituents. Later, she and other lawmakers got an alert telling them to go to a secure location.