With Donald Trump's impeachment trial now well underway, the US Senate has been shown alarming video footage of Republican senator Mitt Romney being advised to flee from the riots that took place at Capitol Hill on 6 January in Washington DC.
The video had been taken from the Capitol security footage and showed the Utah senator running down a corridor, having been having been told to flee by Capitol Hill police officer Eugene Goodman.
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In the footage, Romney is initially shown walking along but, as a hurried Officer Goodman passes him, he is suddenly seen to turn and run the other way.
This came after just dozens of protesters, some carrying weapons and dressed in tactical gear, have been seen smashing their way into the building.
The footage was part of several pieces of video that hadn't been seen by the Senate before, with Officer Goodman once again proving himself to be the hero in another clip, as he led former Vice President Mike Pence away from the mob.
New York's Democratic party senator Chuck Schumer was also seen fleeing for safety as hundreds of rioters stormed into the building.
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"Where are they counting the votes?" the crowd yelled at one point. Goodman could be heard to say: "Don't do it. Don't do it."
As the footage was being aired in the chamber yesterday, Mitt Romney tweeted out: "We appreciate your bravery and service, Officer Eugene Goodman!!"
Romney then spoke to press as he left chamber during a break and said of the footage: "It tears at your heart and brings tears to your eyes. That was overwhelmingly distressing."
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The senator - one of just a handful to vote with the democrats to impeach Trump for a second time - was also asked if knew the officer who had saved him was Eugene Goodman, to which he replied that he didn't, adding: "I look forward to thanking him."
Congressman Eric Swalwell is one of the Democrats acting as a 'prosecutor' in the impeachment trial, with the argument shaping up to be that it was words of former President Trump that incited the riots, while questions are also being asked of his inaction in responding to the crisis as it unfolded.
After playing the chamber the footage, Swalwell said the rioters had been just 58 paces away from where the senators were seated.
Swalwell argued: "This was a deliberate and premeditated incitement to his base to attack our Capitol and stop the counting going on inside," he said.
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"And this was foreseeable, especially to President Trump - who warned us it was coming."
As the trial continues, there has been little word from new President Joe Biden on proceedings, as he instead focuses on the US response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: US Politics, US News, Donald Trump