On Wednesday, January 6th, a large group of Trump supporters breached the United States Capitol when lawmakers were affirming Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 Presidental Election. Forcing them to evacuate the Senate and suspend their proceedings. Lawmakers were instructed to wear gas masks as tear gas was deployed in the Rotunda. Many of these rioters had come from a Save America rally in D.C. where the President and his allies encouraged them to deny Joe Biden’s victory and “fight” to overturn it. The insurrectionists clashed with Capitol Police, toppled barriers, and infiltrated Congressional chambers. At least five people have been killed, and D.C. is now under a citywide curfew. The National Guard has been deployed to the Capitol, and the State of Vacancy has seemed to overturn  Joe Biden’s inauguration until the 20th. Additionally, Donald Trump has been banned from the majority of his social media accounts for numerous posts seeming to incite the violence further. In anti-Semitic comments, Glenn Beck compares Donald Trump’s ban from social media to “Jewish people being forced into ghettos in Nazi Germany.” 

What Has Happened So Far?

Due to the riot on Capitol Hill, several Trump allies and lawmakers have resigned. Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for the resignation of Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund. Sund also resigned due to criticism and “lack of security.” In a letter, Sund announced his resignation would be effective on January 16th after working in law enforcement for more than 30 years. In a Thursday statement detailing the attack, Sund called the Capitol Police response “heroic.” However, some are calling for an investigation into the local department. As they believe that the police gave White Extremists a pass.  It seems as if this troubling event has even gotten to some of Trump’s closest allies. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was the first Cabinet member to resign. According to Yahoo News, she writes that the rioting “deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside”  Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, later submitted her resignation letter. In her letter, DeVos wrote to Trump “There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me.” she added “Impressionable children are watching all of this, and they are learning from us,” Additionally, Stephanie Grisham and Mick Mulvaney resigned amid other cabinet members. 

“No One Is Above The Law — Not Even The President of The United States.” 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked House leaders as she signed the article of Impeachment. Following that, lawmakers impeached the President in a 232 – 197 bipartisan vote. For the first time in history, Donald Trump is the first President to be impeached twice.  Trump has been charged with Incitement of Insurrection. Several public figures and politicians aren’t pleased with his conduct. During the riot, Joe Biden tweeted “Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it’s disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.” Several world leaders condemned and were disturbed by the event. Canadian Priminister Justin Trudeau had the following to say to the Canadian AP and during a press briefing. “What we witnessed was an assault on democracy by violent rioters incited by the current President and other politicians,” Trudeau said. He also told Vancouver radio listeners “I think the American democratic institutions are strong and hopefully everything will return to normal shortly. We’re going to continue to do what we need to do to make sure that Canadians are well served in our relationship with the United States, regardless of how things unfold.” Boris Johnson, Priminister of the United Kingdom tweeted “Disgraceful scenes in the U.S. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”

Who Was Involved? 

As most of those who stormed the Capitol came from the Save America rally, the FBI. is currently searching for all who were involved. It is estimated that over 160 cases have been opened. A man who has been taken into custody for stealing Nancy Pelosi’s Lectern has been identified as Adam Johnson (FL). Many local residents were able to identify Johnson via a viral image on social media, and authorities were able to find him. He has been charged with one count of Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority, one count of Theft of Government Property, and one count of Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds.

Jacob Anthony Chansley (AZ.) was identified as the man seen in another social media post who entered the Capitol building dressed in buffalo horns, a headdress, face paint, and tan pants. Chansley was seen carrying a spear, with an American flag tied just below the blade. He was charged with Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds. Derrik Evans, a recently elected delegate from West Virginia was arrested and held in custody on similar charges. Evans was seen live on his Facebook unlawfully entering the capital Once inside, you could hear Evans shouting “We’re in, we’re in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol!” Evans was later asked to resign. Additionally, a man from Ada County  The Federal Bureau of Investigations is encouraging the public to send tips and information leading to the arrests of anyone who was at the Capitol. If you have any information, call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Or click here and visit their forms page.

So, Now What? 

Donald Trump has now been impeached and is charged with the Insurrection of Violence. When a President is impeached, the U.S. Constitution requires that two-thirds of the House and Senate must approve to proceed. Once approved, the process for removal from office can continue indefinitely. In some cases, the Senate may also disqualify such officials from holding public offices in the future. There is no appeal. This may also apply to Trump. As in some cases; he’s claimed that he’ll run again in 2024. Whether that’s likely is debatable. Although  Trump’s conviction trial is unclear, The New York Times reports that a GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska signals she’s opening to convict President Donald Trump. “And though Ms. Murkowski did not commit to finding the president guilty, saying she would listen carefully to the arguments on both sides, she strongly suggested that she was inclined to do so,” NYTimes reported. What can be predicted is Trump’s possible trial will be held when he leaves office after Joe Biden’s inauguration. As a nation, we wait for more updates as they become available.