Photos: A look back at the Jan. 6 insurrection

By Catie Dull, Virginia Lozano

Published January 6, 2022 at 6:10 AM PST

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

Capitol Police officers try to hold off the crowds from inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. At the end of the day, windows and doors were smashed, trash littered the building and several people were dead.

It's been one year since the insurrection at the United States Capitol building. Following a speech by Donald Trump, where he again pushed lies about the 2020 election, the nation held its breath as it watched protesters breach the symbol of our nation's democracy.

During the chaos, members of Congress feared for their lives while rioters terrorized officers from the Capitol Police and other agencies. Windows were shattered, violence ensued, and lives were lost.

Here is a look back at some of the moments that occurred on that day.

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Before the riot, Donald Trump supporters participate in a rally — at which the then-president urged supporters to "fight" — in Washington, near the White House.

Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, after President Donald Trump told a rally: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol."

Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. They would ultimately succeed.

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces before pushing past law enforcement and barriers to enter the Capitol.

Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol.

Hundreds of Trump supporters had marched to the Capitol with the goal of disrupting and overturning the certification of Joe Biden's election win.

Protesters turned flags bearing their slogans, and later American flags, into weapons during the riot. The Confederate battle flag also made an appearance in the building.

Protesters interact with Capitol Police officers inside the U.S. Capitol Building. Some of these interactions turned violent, with deadly consequences.

U.S. Capitol Police agents aim their guns as a pro-Trump mob tries to break into the House of Representatives chamber. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, in the blue shirt, talks to one of the rioters.

Jacob Chansley, the so-called "QAnon shaman," screams "Freedom" inside the Senate chamber. He has since been sentenced to 41 months in prison for charges related to his role in the riot.

Richard Barnett, a supporter of President Donald Trump, sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi after breaking into the Capitol.

Representatives, staffers and observers shelter in place in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the chamber.

The hallowed halls of the Capitol Rotunda became a backdrop for Trump supporters' videos and photos — and the statues were treated as props.

A protester dressed as George Washington debates with a Capitol Police officer before being pushed out.

National Guard troops bearing shields clear a street from protesters outside the Capitol building that evening.

Plastic covers a statue that has what appears to be blood at the U.S. Capitol. The physical damage to the building has been fixed. The personal and emotional tolls of those there that day persists.

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Catie Dull

Catie Dull (she/her) is a short-form video producer and photojournalist on the NPR visuals team. She is from Wilmington, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Photo and Video Journalism.