By: Ryn Williams, Social Media Manager
Jan. 6, 2021 was a date for the history books. Right-wing conspiracy theorists and protestors showed up and stormed the U.S. Capitol building, the first successful attempt since 1814. Their goal: disrupt the 117th Congress.
U.S. legislators were scheduled to formally certify Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election of 2020. The session would officially count the Electoral College votes awarded to President Biden.
Their attempts to disrupt Congress worked for a day. No legislators were harmed, but five people were murdered in the rampage, including one Capitol officer.
Self-proclaimed patriots pushed their way into the U.S. Capitol building, forcing the Congress to hide in their offices, the House gallery, or in undisclosed locations fearing for their safety.
The mob walked freely around the building for the entire day. Many of the rioters came from former President Donald Trump’s “Save America Rally” that took place on The Ellipse, a park nearby. He spoke to his supporters for hours, insisting that the election had been stolen, to demand a recount.
On Dec. 16, the Associated Press “called the race”, based on certified election results. Democrat Biden won with 306 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to be declared president. Republican Trump was awarded 232 electoral votes.
For the popular vote, Biden was still ahead of Trump with a total vote percentage of 51.4, while Trump was at 46.9%. Third-party candidates totaled almost 3% of the total votes cast, and 0% of the electoral votes.
Compared to recent years, there was a massive increase of mail-in votes. The majority of mail-in votes were pro-Biden, due to his campaigns pushing the use of mail-in ballots to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Far-right conspirers disagreed with the outcome. They took to Parler when Twitter and Instagram removed them for violating their Terms of Services. Congresswoman Maloney has formally requested the FBI investigate Parler. The FBI has yet to publicly respond.
This tweet sparked controversy in the House of Representatives, who have now pushed forward articles of impeachment against Trump. There are three things that a president can be impeached for or convicted of: treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
The “incitement of insurrection,” according to the U.S. House, is considered under high crimes and misdemeanors.
On Jan. 16, 2021, the U.S. House resolved the articles of impeachment.
“In all this, President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of Government,” the article read.
Trump was previously impeached in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. A second impeachment could cost him the benefits that former presidents typically receive: an annual pension and Secret Service protection for the rest of his life, as well as tarnishing his reputation, and possibly disqualifying him from running in the future.
On Jan. 26, 2021, the Senate received the articles of impeachment. Senate has adjourned until Feb. 9, when the trial is scheduled.
