An unsealed video of January 6 protesters entering the Capitol building through the windows and casually walking in has been viewed more than 1.7 million times on social media.
The video, shared by BuzzFeed News reporter Zoe Tillman on Twitter, showed dozens of people breaching the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
During the clip, supporters of former President Donald Trump could be seen entering through smashed windows and doors before proceeding to walk further into the building.
As of Thursday morning, the one-minute clip has been viewed more than 1.7 million times on the social media platform.
Underneath the video, conservative figures have suggested the calmness of protestors meant the January 6 riot at the Capitol was not violent.
Right-wing commentator John Cardillo made light of the footage and shared the clip with the tweet: "Hell, they weren't even trespassers, they were a tour group."
Conservative talk radio personality Chris Stigall also mocked the footage and said in a post that included the video: "Animals."
David Reaboi, a conservative writer, commented: "They wanted to keep this under seal so they can lie about 'insurrection' in order to justify a crackdown on your liberties.
"This one has faded. They haven't gotten their wish for violence. So there will be more attempts."
Tillman followed the tweet with other videos that showed violent scenes at the Capitol building on January 6.
In one clip, a protestor carrying a flag barges up to the metal barrier where he starts to berate police.
The man could then be seen pushing the barrier and hitting officers with his flag before he and others breach the area in front of the building, attacking officers.
Additional clips show rioters attacking police, attempting to force their way into the Capitol and breaking glass windows in order to gain entry.
Newsweek has contacted the United States Capitol Police for comment.
Following the January 6 riot, multiple arrests were made of people allegedly present that gained entry to the building.
Michael Eckerman, 37, of Wichita, Kansas, was arrested and charged on Monday for allegedly pushing a Capitol Police officer down a set of stairs.
Proud Boy Ethan Nordean was arrested for his alleged crimes on January 6 and has since claimed the charges against him should be dropped due to Congress' certification President Joe Biden's election win being not "an official proceeding."
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James I. Pearce responded by arguing that Congress was involved in an official proceeding.
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Anders Anglesey is a U.S. News Reporter based in London, U.K., covering crime, politics, online extremism and trending stories. Anders ... Read more
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