U.S. News

Pro-Trump Mobs Storm Capitol Building, Causing Death and Terrorizing Officials

Politicians and Citizens In Both Parties Slam Riots As Domestic Terrorism

Editor Tyler Bagent

On January 6th, 2021, mobs of pro-Trump rioters broke into and stormed the United States Capitol Building, killing five and injuring over 50 police officers. While there, they terrorized staff and Congressmembers, vandalized property, and clashed with police.

The House and Senate were in a joint session on Wednesday to officially certify President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris’ electoral college victory, overseen by Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The two houses had separated at 1:15 to debate a challenge to the Arizona certification brought by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), required by the rules of the certification. After several speeches in both chambers by members of both parties, the sessions adjourned at 2:15 because rioters had breached the Capitol and had entered the building. Vice President Pence, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley were all escorted out of the chambers first, as they are in the Presidential Line of Succession. Both houses were evacuated before rioters entered the chambers, as claimed by police. Before the rioters marched towards the Capitol, President Trump held a ‘Save America’ Rally where he addressed a crowd of supporters and said “we’re going to walk down to the Capitol.” At the rally, Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani called for a “trial by violence,” which has been slammed by critics as “inciting violence.”

Rioters breached the building through different methods, breaking windows and clearing through barricades and crowds of police officers. During the attack, they vandalized property and wandered through the halls of Congress. They broke into both Houses and Congressional offices, even breaking into the office of Speaker Pelosi. While there, they stole several items, including the Speaker’s lectern, a laptop owned by Pelosi, and several pieces of mail. Some who broke in brought firearms, hand weapons, and temporary restraints, signaling that they intended to take hostages and potentially kill members of Congress. Rioters outside of the building put up a massive noose and chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” some holding signs saying “Nancy Pelosi is Satan.” Rioters were cleared out of the building at around 6pm, at the time where DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s curfew was to take effect.

In the aftermath of the attack, President Trump and other objectors have been slammed for their role in inciting the mob. On January 7th, the day after the storming, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) announced that she was preparing Articles of Impeachment against President Trump. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) has also introduced Impeachment Articles, which have been co-sponsored by over 200 Representatives. In addition to them, 42 Senators including two Republicans have come out in support of Impeachment. The 25th Amendment, which allows the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet to remove a President if they are not capable of carrying out their duties has also been discussed by members of both Houses. Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have called on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th, but Pence has reportedly not taken steps to invoke it. President Trump has also been punished on social media, being banned from sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and even Spotify and Pinterest. White House Insiders have reported that Trump went “ballistic” after his ban.

In terms of the objectors, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have faced immense backlash. On the day of the attack, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) drafted a resolution to investigate into which members of Congress incited violence, in an attempt to expel each of them from office. She tweeted out “Expel the Republican members of Congress who incited the white supremacist attempted coup,” and has also called on Sen. Hawley to resign. Hawley in particular has faced the most consequences, losing a book deal, and facing massive protests in St. Louis.

Those responsible for defending the Capitol have also faced backlash, both leaders and officers. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate Stenger, and Sergeant-at-Arms of the House Irving have all resigned. Calls for investigation into police officers have also begun, as videos have circulated of officers taking photos with rioters and letting rioters through gates and barriers.

Several Trump Administration officials have also resigned because of the riots and/or the response, including Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Chief of Staff to the First Lady Stephanie Grisham, and Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In her resignation letter, DeVos wrote “There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me.”

As a result of the riots, five people have been confirmed killed, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Four rioters were killed, one by Capitol Police and three by self-inflicted wounds or natural causes. 56 officers were injured, and five rioters were hospitalized.

The situation surrounding the storming of the Capitol remains ongoing. As Speaker Pelosi prepares to bring Impeachment Articles to the floor, Trump Administration Officials continue to resign, and as questions continue to be raised about preparedness for January 6th’s events, only one thing is clear. There will be more news broken surrounding this event in all aspects. As the country gets closer to the swearing-in of the Biden Administration, it remains to be seen how the American people react in the long term to Wednesday’s riots.