search
Sections List
American Journal News

Violent mobs heed Trump's call to storm the Capitol as his defeat is certified

‘I’ll be with you,’ Trump said earlier in the day, encouraging his supporters to march on the building.

By Emily Singer - January 06, 2021
Share
Donald Trump

Mobs of violent Donald Trump supporters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday on direct orders from Trump himself, who encouraged protesters gathered in the District of Columbia to march to the building to help Republicans steal the 2020 election.

At a rally earlier Wednesday, Trump told his supporters, “I’ll be with you” on a march down the National Mall to the Capitol, where lawmakers were gathering to formally certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Republicans are attempting to block that certification by objecting to the electoral vote state by state, though that effort is mostly certain to fail.

After Trump’s speech, hordes of Trump supporters violently pushed past federal police officers to enter the Capitol building, forcing the building into lockdown due to security threats.

Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the certification, was whisked off the Senate floor amid security concerns.

As the protesters breached the Capitol, Trump again appeared to egg them on, tweeting a direct attack against Pence — who earlier in the day said he would not block the Electoral College votes from being certified.

“Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!” Trump tweeted.

Shortly after, Trump tweeted at his supporters to “stay peaceful,” but they had already forced their way into the building. Some reportedly began breaking windows, and at least one supporter reportedly took over the Senate dais to yell that “Trump won [the] election.”

Trump has been egging on his supporters for days, lying to them about a stolen election and encouraging them multiple times to travel to Washington, D.C., to pressure congressional lawmakers to refuse to accept Biden’s victory. The effort was a last-ditch attempt to cling onto power, after dozens of courts threw out his legal challenges, leading the Electoral College to vote on Dec. 14 to seal Biden’s win.

“January 6th. See you in D.C.” Trump tweeted on Jan. 1, linking to a video filled with lies and conspiracies about how the election was stolen from him.

“I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA RALLY tomorrow on the Ellipse at 11AM Eastern. Arrive early — doors open at 7AM Eastern. BIG CROWDS!” Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

Video on Wednesday also showed Trump supporters violently clashing with and attacking police officers, some of whom were seen to be visibly injured.

The violence led Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser to implement a curfew starting at 6 p.m. ET to try to stop the violence from spreading throughout the city.

This all comes the day after Trump issued an order demanding that “antifa” — a loose movement of antifascists — be labeled a terrorist organization as he ignored the violence his own supporters were carrying out in the District of Columbia.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


AJ News
Get the latest news here first.

Tai News

Newsletter
Read More
Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

By Henry Redman, Wisconsin Examiner - December 06, 2023
NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - December 05, 2023
Tax cuts, teacher pension increases at stake after misinformation-led challenge to 2023 election

Tax cuts, teacher pension increases at stake after misinformation-led challenge to 2023 election

By Natalia Contreras - December 04, 2023
One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat

One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat

By Zachary Roth - November 03, 2023
Wisconsin Republicans threaten to impeach liberal justice over redistricting comments

Wisconsin Republicans threaten to impeach liberal justice over redistricting comments

By Matt Cohen - August 17, 2023
Trump said ‘we should have one-day voting’ two days after joining RNC early voting drive

Trump said ‘we should have one-day voting’ two days after joining RNC early voting drive

By Josh Israel - August 03, 2023
AJ News
Latest
Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

By Jesse Valentine - December 08, 2023
Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

By Jesse Valentine - December 07, 2023
Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

By Anna Liz Nichols, Michigan Advance - December 06, 2023
105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023
For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - December 04, 2023
Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023
Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2023
Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

By Jesse Valentine - November 03, 2023
Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

By Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today - October 24, 2023
Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

By Henry Redman, Wisconsin Examiner - December 06, 2023
NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - December 05, 2023
Missouri abortion-rights amendments face ‘torturous’ process to make it to 2024 ballot

Missouri abortion-rights amendments face ‘torturous’ process to make it to 2024 ballot

By Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star - December 05, 2023