Trump-supporting protesters occupied the United States Capitol in response to the president’s call to action.

“This is a ridiculous and appalling display of violence against our democracy,” said Mackenzie Mcdonald (‘23). 

Earlier today, President Trump spoke at a “Save America” rally, in which he talked about fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Though research and recounts have proven that there was no widespread voter fraud, the president and his supporters are persistent in their belief that Joe Biden did not win the election. 

Around the time President Trump was giving this speech, Congress was in the process of confirming Joe Biden’s electoral votes to declare him the winner of the 2020 election. At this point, Trump issued a rally cry. 

“We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol, […] because you’ll never take back our country with weakness, you have to show strength and you have to be strong,” said the president in his speech.

“I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

Although the president used the word “peaceful,” many believe that these protests got out of hand. Trump supporters flooded the streets outside the Capitol Building and the steps leading up to it, managing to breach security and even enter the building.

“Let’s have trial by combat!” said president’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani in his own “Save America” speech.  

The protesters got to the floor of Congress and were able to enter the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Members of Congress were issued frightening warnings and were given gas masks, seemingly in anticipation of chemicals such as tear gas. 

The “protestors” progressively got more violent, harming multiple law enforcement officers despite the president’s calls for peace. This violence even caused the death of a woman who was shot within the walls of the capitol building— though the exact circumstances are still unknown. 

“It qualifies not just as a riot, but as an incident of domestic terrorism. A violent mob pushed past and injured police officers, and did significant damage to the Capitol Building in pursuit of the political goal of overturning the results of the 2020 election,” said Mark Lester (‘21).

After the deployment of riot police and orders from Vice President Pence to deploy the national guard, law enforcement managed to push the mob back from the perimeter and evacuate members of Congress to a safer location. The Capitol Building has since been secured. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a 6 o’clock curfew in an attempt to reach peace in the streets of the capital. 

“This is a very low point for the United States. Our social crisis is being condemned by leaders in Venezuela, a country with a lot of social and political unrest,” said Jay Vyas (‘21).  

World leaders from the European Union, Russia, Turkey, NATO, and even Venezuela have condemned the actions of these rioters. Trump continues to justify their actions as a reasonable response to a “stolen” election. 

Law enforcement used anti-riot measures like smoke grenades, flashbangs, and possibly tear gas in an attempt to keep the peace, but only time will tell what lies ahead.

“At this point, it’s just an embarrassment,” said Matthew Day (‘21).