January 6th Riot

January 6th Riot

Two Years Later 

January 6th, 2023

 

On January 6th, 2020, a large group of supporters of former president Donald Trump gathered at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. and stormed Congress trying to thwart the certification of president Biden’s election into office. Now almost two years later, there is a Democratic-led inquiry into the events of what happened that day and the non-peaceful transfer of presidential power. So, what exactly happened that day?

At 8:17 that morning, former president Trump posted a tweet that alleged voter fraud ahead of a planned rally.

 At 10:58, members of the Proud Boys, a right-wing militia, started heading towards the Capitol building. This was a very organized group, communication being clearly sent throughout heard by multiple news correspondents.

 At noon, former president Trump begins a speech and begins urging his supporters to gather at the capitol stating “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

 As the former president is talking at 12:53, a crowd is swelling outside the capitol. Police attempt to contain the crown but are unfortunately outnumbered. Many supporters were carrying flags and weapons and had makeshift gallows completed with a noose. Minutes later, the certification process begins.

 At 1:10 the former president ends his speech with “We fight. We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Soon after, capitol police calls for backup then sends an evacuation warning. 

At 1:45, what were once protesters go past the capitol police. An officer then declares it a riot. “We’re going to give riot warnings. We’re going to try to get compliance but this is now effectively a riot,” he said. 

Around 2:15, former vice president Mike Pence suddenly gets evacuated by the Secret Service. An immediate recess of the Senate is called as rioters break through windows and break open doors. There is an attempt to attack Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence. 

Around 2:25 former president Trump tweets “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution” and “USA demands the truth!” The House also goes into a recess at this time.

Former president Trump called Senator Mike Lee of Utah around 2:26. Senator Lee very quickly ended the call with “Mr.President, they’ve taken the vice-president out. They want me to get off the phone, I gotta go.”

Around 2:40, rioters spot House representatives hiding and start going to them in an attempt to attack them.

At about 3:15, former president Trump tweets “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. capitol to remain peaceful.” An hour later, the former president tweets a video telling the rioters to go home. 

At 6 pm, former president Trump tweets about how the rioters are “great patriots.” This came after the confirmed death of Ashli Babbitt who was shot in the capitol. She was a rioter. 

 

All of this was due to former president Trump losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris. Almost two years later, there are still effects of this day but for those involved in the riot. A committee was formed to investigate the happenings of the day. Over 850 people are being investigated for their involvement. There are updates coming almost every week. 

 

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56004916