Jan 6, 2021: Armed Pro-Trump Extremists Infiltrate U.S. Capitol Building
Corporate execs condemned the scene
January 6, 2021
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Yesterday, what had typically been a routine process in presidential transitions descended into one of the darkest days in American history.
Congress’s procedure to certify the election results in favor of Joe Biden was halted when a mob of President Trump’s supporters rushed and infiltrated the U.S. Capitol building. Shortly before, Trump held a rally in which he repeated lies that he won last year’s presidential election.
- The Capitol was placed on lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence was rushed out of the Senate chamber. A woman who had been shot during the rioting at the Capitol later died, according to D.C. police.
- In response to the pandemonium, both the D.C. and Virginia units of the National Guard were activated. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a 12-hour curfew beginning at 6pm.
As it happened
The president’s supporters appeared to overcome Capitol security without much trouble. Many lawmakers were ordered to shelter in place and some had to wear gas masks to protect themselves from tear gas as they evacuated the building.
- After the building was evacuated, Trump issued a statement repeating falsehoods about the election, but told the mob to go home.
Zoom out: A group of Republican members of Congress, led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, started the day by trying to challenge the electoral count. Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to join in.
Wall Street’s reaction?
Like nothing happened—stocks actually climbed yesterday. The Dow touched a record high, likely meaning investors believe the rioting was more of a blip than an indicator of long-term chaos.
Congress tried to channel that energy when it reconvened late last night to ratify Biden's Electoral College victory.
