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Some Senate aides barred the doors of their offices as protesters beat on them, shouting profanities. As it became clear the Senate chamber was not safe, security officers ordered the senators to leave.
As politicians and staff rushed out, aides grabbed hold of the boxes containing the Electoral College certificates, making sure that the vandals could not literally steal the results of the election.
"If our capable floor staff hadn't grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob," said Democrat Senator Jeff Merkley.
Electoral College ballots sit on a table after they were rescued from the Senate floor.