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Rioters storm the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021 (Courtesy of NBC News).
The Capitol Riot: What Now?
On January 6, 2021, an event occurred that shocked the nation. Right-wing extremists stormed the Capitol building in Washington D.C. as the 2020 election was being certified by Congress inside. The riot at the Capitol was eye-opening and sobering for many, but its consequences might be far greater than expected.
The Capitol riot undoubtedly left an unremovable stain on the legacy of the Trump administration, leading to a second impeachment and potential removal of the president from office. Trump has also been suspended and banned from many social media platforms following the riot, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Many other companies and individuals have also distanced themselves from Trump, with a number of his Cabinet members and administration resigning in the days after the riot. These include Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and the First Lady’s Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham.
Many of Trump’s most supportive allies in Congress and other powerful positions have also faced consequences in the wake of the riot. Senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz have faced calls for their resignation after pushing false claims about the election. Other Trump allies, including the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump Jr., and Alabama Representative Mo Brooks may face charges for inciting the mob of Trump supporters.
The riot has also exposed the reality of right-wing terrorism. It has shown how much domestic terrorism has been underestimated by the American public. According to the BBC, more than 100 arrests have been made so far, with more investigations being opened daily and the FBI has received around 200,000 digital tips regarding the riots at the Capitol. Some of these rioters have been found through social media, where they posted messages regarding the attack both prior to and after January 6th. A few rioters even livestreamed themselves at the insurrection and shouted information that could be used to identify them. Nearly 90 rioters have had charges brought against them. Among these rioters were white nationalists, neo-Nazis and Qanon conspiracy theorists.
The shock caused by the riot has resulted in heightened security measures at the Capitol and many other areas of Washington D.C. in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. More than 25,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington D.C. by the Pentagon for fear of another, more deadly attack on Inauguration Day, according to CBS News. All members of the National Guard at the Capitol are screened by the FBI to make sure they do not have any connections to the mob or other right-wing extremist groups. In the Capitol, National Guard members can be seen sleeping on the floor of the Capitol Rotunda, a sight not witnessed since the Civil War.
The riot at the Capitol will have many consequences, both short-term and long-term. It has exposed the reality of domestic terrorism egged on by President Trump and his allies. It will help the country take steps towards defeating domestic terrorism and achieving a strong and fair democracy.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/18/politics/impeachment-latest-congress-state-of-play/index.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/11/trump-banned-social-media/
https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-resignations.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55626148
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-inauguration-dc-capitol-news-01-18-21/index.html
https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/capitol-riot-mob-arrests/
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/biden-inauguration-preparation-2021-01-18/
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-pardons-capitol-security-inauguration/
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/15/josh-hawley-ted-cruz-punishment-459699
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/19/capitol-riot-social-media/
https://apnews.com/article/us-news-f3c82a3d5dbbb1354ba03c20993667b7