Reflection on the Capitol Riot.pdf - Reflection on the...

Reflection on the Capitol Riot
The stability and success of any political system is dependent on a peaceful transfer of
power. What we saw on January sixth was at most an insurrection, and at the very least an affront
to our democracy. Thousands of pro-Trump rioters gathered at Capitol Hill and stormed the
Capitol Building with the intent to overturn the presidential election results. These self-identified
“patriots” were decked out in Trump apparel holding “MAGA 2020” and Confederate flags
while rushing to the Senate floor looking for government officials that they were told had
betrayed them. There are reports and videos of these rioters constructing gallows and chanting
“hang Mike Pence”. European politicians expressed concern over “highly disturbing” scenes as
supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building and clashed with police in Washington
amid a push to overturn the U.S. president’s electoral defeat. The breach of the Capitol building
came as Congress members were in the midst of counting Electoral College votes in the election