January 6th, 2021: Insurrection at the Capitol
by Chaitna Deshmukh and Muriel Moon, Reporters
National News
January 6th, 2021 was not supposed to be a significant day. The House and Senate of Congress planned to conduct a joint session in order to certify the electoral ballots of the states from the November election. These ballots had already been certified by the state legislatures and various courts. For the first time in over a hundred years, some Republican senators and representatives decided they were going to object to these ballots, despite there being no proof of voter fraud in favor of Biden. Regardless, as elected officials, it was their prerogative and opportunity to do so.
Contrary to these expectations, however, the Capitol was shocked by an unparalleled attack. For the first time in American history, the Capitol building was invaded and vandalized by domestic terrorists, most of whom had been listening to a speech by the president just an hour before. Thousands of insurrectionists pushed past the law enforcement protecting the entire legislative branch of our nation. At the time, the building also contained the three individuals in the line of presidential succession after Donald Trump. Trump’s initial statement to the terrorists included the words “we love you, you’re very special,” and he went on to repeat the lie that the election had been stolen from him, a lie that had caused the violence in the first place. At the end of the day, these rioters were escorted from the capitol building, having defiled it and caused 5 deaths. This New York Times article “Insurrection at the Capitol: A Timeline of How It Happened” provides detailed information about the specifics of the day.
This appalling event was significant in several ways. For the first time in history, the confederate flag was flown inside the U.S. Capitol. This action was not far from a declaration of war, and many are treating it as such. In the aftermath of this event, the certification of the ballots resumed, and more than 100 Republican representatives and 6 senators still voted against the confirmation of ballots, even though there was no proof that they were fraudulent. In doing so, they supported the very lie that had forced them out of the chamber just hours earlier.
As a result of these acts, many officials, Democrats and Republicans alike, have condemned the actions of both these domestic terrorists and the president, the man who incited them. Senator Tom Cotton, a longtime supporter of Trump, said that “[i]t’s past time for the president to accept the results of the election, quit misleading the American people, and repudiate mob violence.” Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, who had been a main objector to the certification of Georgia's electoral votes, spoke to the Senate after the incident and stated that “the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors.” Almost immediately, several Democratic representatives began drawing up articles of impeachment for the president.
On January 13th, a week after these events, the house debated and passed an article of impeachment accusing the president of “incitement of insurrection.” It passed 232 to 197, and Donald Trump was impeached for the second time in a single term. After inauguration day, the Democrats officially have tenuous control over both houses of Congress as well as the presidency. It is expected that the Senate will soon hold a trial and a vote deciding whether or not to convict Trump.
Since he has already vacated his position as president, the consequences of a possible conviction are not obvious. Some of the consequences could include Trump being banned from running for public office again, rescinded protection under the Secret Service, prevented from having a government-funded pension and travel, and even taken to court. In any case, the events of the 6th of January will have notable implications for the future of the Republican party, and will go down as an infamous moment in the history of the United States.
If you would like further information about this event, Human Rights Club has compiled resources and information at the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fbzFP_ogseDvRnduL_0QOL-aYIq5GN2KyBKuY3mI1wc/edit?usp=sharing
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Kamiak High School or The Gauntlet.
Sources
Bruggeman, Lucien, and Julia Jacobo. “Timeline: How pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol.” The Capitol building went on lockdown with members of Congress inside., ABC News, 6 January 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/US/timeline-pro-trump-protesters-stormed-capitol/story?id=75096094. Accessed 7 January 2021.
“Congress Certifies Joe Biden’s Election Win Following Day of Turmoil.” Affirmation comes after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, derailing the process for hours, The Wall Street Journal, 7 January 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-allies-in-congress-challenge-bidens-election-win-116099290 01. Accessed 7 January 2021.
Council of DC. “Statement from the DC Council on the Department of Defense’s Denial of DC’s National Guard Deployment Request.” Twitter, 6 January 2021, https://twitter.com/councilofdc/status/1346918966707499008. Accessed 7 January 2021.
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Huack, Grace, and Deborah Barfield Berry. “'Double standard': Biden, Black lawmakers and activists decry police response to attack on US Capitol.” USA Today, 6 January 2021, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2021%2F01%2F06%2Fus-capitol-attack-compared-response-black-lives-matter-protests%2F6570528002%2F&psig=AOvVaw0Cbr371wWWK25Yrm5tqH2s&ust=1610155065812000&source=imag. Accessed 6 January 2021.
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