A mob of pro-Trump supporters breeched security and entered the Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 as Congress debated the 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
Footage circulated showing officers removing barricades that were keeping the crowd of frenzied Trump supporters away from the Capitol Building.
the police opened the fucking gates. pic.twitter.com/HyDURXfoaB
— katie (@cevansavenger) January 6, 2021
The violent mob, which was incited by President Donald Trump, would never have made it past the front door without the acquiescence of federal police. Authorities offered minimal resistance to the mob sent by the president to prevent the counting of electoral votes. With few exceptions, the response was to let the far-right mob pass, to wait and see rather than to prevent the violence and seizure of federal property that occurred.
this footage is wild. look how easy this was for them https://t.co/0av29cNvZv
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) January 7, 2021
Photojournalists and social media users witnessing the events inside the U.S. Capitol building shared shocking pictures and video footage of the mob of fascist pro-Trump supporters who stormed the legislative offices shortly after an inflammatory speech delivered by President Donald Trump at a rally focused claiming that the results of the 2020 election—in which he was soundly defeated—are fraudulent.
They’re in the chamber. One is up on the dais yelling “Trump won that election!” This is insane pic.twitter.com/p6CXhBDSFT
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
Some sort of gas has been set off. I’m not sure by whom. Police seem to be trying to deescalate and talk to them. pic.twitter.com/CwB2PYdTMj
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
That’s the confederate flag flying outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/1XB5TlAsuv
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021
The far-right mob that took over the Capitol never would have gotten past the front door if the federal police hadn’t allowed them to storm in. The simple fact is that left-wing protesters get treated with brutality, while right-wing protesters get coddled.
With the U.S. House and Senate put into lockdown and lawmakers, staffers, and others forced to shelter in place, demands went out for Trump himself to be impeached—even arrested—for inciting the chaos. National Guard soldiers were mobilized to help Capitol Hill Police clear the buildings and restore order.