Shocking photos show pro-Trump rioters in the Capitol stealing memorabilia and breaking into the desks of lawmakers

A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

• A joint session of Congress to count the 2020 presidential race's Electoral College votes descended into chaos as violent pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol building.
• Lawmakers were evacuated as the rioters invaded the House and Senate Chambers and vandalized congressional offices.

The Capitol Building came under siege from pro-Trump rioters on Wednesday during a joint session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential race.

The rioters, fresh from a "March for Trump" rally to protest the certification of Joe Biden's victory, stormed the building, sending the House and Senate into recess and forcing lawmakers, Hill staffers, and reporters to shelter in their offices before being evacuated.

Protesters sat in Vice President Mike Pence's chair in the Senate Chamber, vandalized congressional offices, and looted items like podiums from the building.

CNN Congressional reporter Al Zaslav quoted Capitol Police on Twitter saying that the building is "trashed." The FBI also released a statement saying they had deployed forces "to assist our U.S. Capitol Police partners as requested in protection of federal property and public safety."

Here's a look inside the chaos.