The US National Guard has been called in to stop supporters of Donald Trump who have stormed the Capitol Building in Washington DC in protest at the country's election vote.
Trump's Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted confirmation that the military reserve force of the US Army and US Air Force was headed to the site of the violence alongside other organisations to back up police efforts and to restore peace.
She said: "At President [Donald Trump's] direction, the National Guard is on the way along with other federal protective services.
"We reiterate President Trump's call against violence and to remain peaceful."
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Alarming pictures have shown Trump supporters - some carrying firearms - walking around the corridors of the Capitol Building after overpowering police to break in.
Thankfully, the members of the House and Senate were evacuated earlier.
Reports have suggested that a woman has been shot inside the building, but her condition is not yet known.
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Nearly all of those involved in the incident are supporters of the president, and have been seen wearing pro-Trump merchandise, chanting 'we want Trump' and carrying flags and signs in support of the recently outgoing president.
This comes after Trump addressed a crowd of thousands in the US capital city and said 'we will never concede', reiterating his unfounded claims that the results of the US election in November have been 'stolen' or were fraudulent.
He later tweeted: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order - respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"
There have also been reports of a suspected explosive device found at the headquarters of Trump's Republican Party, prompting an evacuation of that building, as well as the nearby headquarters of the Democratic National Committee.
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The pipe bomb discovered at the GOP building was successfully destroyed by the bomb squad, whilst the DNC package has yet to be identified.
President elect Joe Biden called on Trump to ask his supporters to stand down, whilst also condemning the violence in Washington.
He tweeted: "Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now"
He then added: "I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding an end to this siege."
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