On 6 Jan 2021, an armed militant extremist group raided the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in an attempt to take forcible control of the U.S. Government. The group broke through Capitol Security teams and setup positions in the Capitol building.
The Vice President, legislators, and capitol staff were rushed to multiple undisclosed locations as it seemed their lives were in danger and our nation was under attack. Other local police were called in for support, as well as U.S. Marshalls, ATF agents, FBI agents, and National Guard military reserve soldiers from two neighboring states.
What makes the incident unusual is that the person responsible for inciting the incident, is the current sitting president of the United States. He asked the militants to come to the city, then gathered them together at a big event, delivered a speech to work them into a fervor, and then told them to go to the Capitol building.
Five people are dead and 14 police officers were injured as a result of the incident. There was also significant property damage to the Capitol building. Legislator’s offices were raided as well.
There was particular concern for Vice President Pence’s safety because the President recently stated: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.” This would put Pence into the group considered to be ‘enemies’ and fair game for attacks. One loyalist of the President, and former advisor to the President, recently said of defectors that he would like to put their “heads on pikes” outside the White House as a warning. Video footage from the attack on the Capitol shows a group of those participating shouting for the death of the Vice President. The “heads on pikes” phrase is used. [See Video]
Following the incident, law enforcement investigations have identified a diversity of people among the participants including firefighters, police officers, legislators, Air Force combat veteran, and also a Texas realtor who took a private jet to D.C. for the event.
Some participants who entered the Capitol appeared celebratory as they followed the flow of the crowd inside. Others seemed more purposeful and violent with an apparent intension to attack the facility and harm those inside the Capitol.
Below is a chronological timeline of events, based on public statements made on social media and recent news coverage regarding the incident. Statements from former presidents as well as existing government officials are also included. Headers include source as well as date and time.
ABC News (12 Jan 2021 at ~ 5:30 PM CT)
New details on Capitol Hill siege. The Department of Justice and FBI discuss the investigation and the charges related to the Capitol Hill riot.
NBC News (12 Jan 2021 at ~ 3:30 PM CT)
FBI: 160 Case Files Opened Into Capitol Riot Probe. FBI Washington Field Office ADIC, Steven D’Antuono said the “brutality” at the U.S. Capitol will “not be tolerated by the FBI.” D’Antuono said they are working to arrest and charge people who took part in the destruction and they have opened over 160 case files into the riot probe.
MSNBC (10 Jan 2021 at ~ 5:00 PM CT)
Officers Pay Somber Tribute To Fallen Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Off duty police officers from Capitol Hill and D.C. Metro lined the street to watch the procession for fallen Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died after being injured during a pro-Trump riot.
Robert Reich, Economic Advisor (10 Jan 2021 at 10:01 AM CT)
A second Capitol Police officer has died from the insurrection. Why aren’t WH flags at half staff in memory of both? Trump doesn’t mourn them.
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) January 10, 2021
Today Show (10 Jan 2021 at 8:51 AM CT)
‘Consequences Are Coming’ For Capitol Rioters, Analyst Says. NBC News national security analyst Frank Figliuzzi joins Sunday TODAY’s Willie Geist to discuss how officials are able to track down people who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. “Rest assured, if you were inside that Capitol building, consequences are coming, and it may not be a polite knock on the door,” he says. Figliuzzi also talks about the steps law enforcement is taking to protect Joe Biden at the inauguration next week.
Today Show (10 Jan 2021 at 8:48 AM CT)
Days After Capitol Riot, Calls To Remove Trump Grow. Sen. Pat Toomey is the third Republican senator publicly open to President Donald Trump’s removal or resignation following Wednesday’s riot the U.S. Capitol. Democrats are expected to introduce an article of impeachment for inciting insurrection on Monday. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is breaking with Trump and will attend the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 10 days. NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell reports for Sunday TODAY.
CBS Sunday Morning (10 Jan 2021 at 8:27 AM CT)
Former Homeland Security head’s advice following Capitol attack: “Buckle up” Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff talks with CBS News national security correspondent David Martin about the failure of the Capitol Police to prevent armed Trump supporters from breaching a Joint Session of Congress, despite threats of violence posted on social media in the runup to the Electoral College vote tabulation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (10 Jan 2021 at 6:45 AM CT)
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Message Following this Week’s Attack on the Capitol. This is my message to my fellow Americans and my friends around the world after January 6, 2021.
ABC News (9 Jan 2021 at ~ 4:00 AM CT)
Trump faces possible second impeachment amid further arrests from Capitol chaos. As authorities continue to search for others who stormed the Capitol, “Nightline” looks back on dozens of cases that invoked Trump by name in connection with violence, threats and assaults.
MSNBC (8 Jan 2021 at ~ 11:30 PM CT)
More Republicans Finally Turn On Trump After Deadly Insurrection. Trump has lost his Twitter account and more Republican allies as the fallout from the deadly insurrection on Capitol Hill he incited keeps growing. Aired on 1/9/2021.
MSNBC (8 Jan 2021 at ~ 9:00 PM CT)
Must-See New Video Shows Capitol Riot Was Way Worse Than We Thought. Chris Hayes: “It is entirely possible that there were people in that crowd, looking to apprehend, possibly harm, and possibly murder the leaders of the political class that the President, and people like Mo Brooks, and even to a certain extent Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, have told them have betrayed them.” Aired on 1/8/2021.
Washington Post (8 Jan 2021 at ~ 8:00 PM CT)
Republicans suddenly distance themselves from Trump’s false election claims. Republicans who had echoed President Trump’s false election claims suddenly distanced themselves after a pro-Trump mob breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
NBC News (8 Jan 2021 at 5:31 PM CT)
In the wake of Wednesday’s riot at the Capitol, Trump supporters with extremist views feel emboldened and are vowing to return to Washington for the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, using online platforms to rally each other.
Source: NBC News, 8 Jan 2021 at 5:31 PM CT [View]
“Many of Us will return on January 19, 2021, carrying Our weapons, in support of Our nation’s resolve, towhich [sic] the world will never forget!!! We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match,” wrote a popular Parler user who frequently posts about QAnon, and is being tracked by the Anti-Defamation League.
Twitter (8 Jan 2021 at 5:21 PM CT)
After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter — we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.
Source: Twitter, 8 Jan 2021 at 5:21 PM CT [View]
In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action. Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly. It is built on a principle that the people have a right to hold power to account in the open.
Insider News (8 Jan 2021 at 2:55 PM CT)
New Footage Shows What It Was Like Inside The Trump Mob At The Capitol.
Republicans for the Rule of Law (8 Jan 2021 at 2:35 PM CT)
The President did this. On January 6, President Trump incited a mob to attack Congress and the U.S. Capitol. The mob’s aim was his aim—to disrupt the process of a free, fair election and overturn the will of the people by physically assaulting their duly elected representatives at the seat of government. Every day he continues in office is a danger to the United States. He must be removed from office immediately.
NBC News (8 Jan 2021 at 12:35 PM CST)
“A man photographed casually sitting with his foot on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office at the U.S. Capitol while a pro-Trump mob rampaged the halls of Congress was arrested Friday, law enforcement officials said.” [More…]
CBS News (8 Jan 2021 at 10:46 AM)
Misinformation about who was behind Capitol riot spawns new conspiracy theories. As the investigation intensifies in Washington, D.C., investigators are learning more about the identity of those behind the riot at the Capitol. It comes as misinformation about who was behind the violence is spawning new conspiracy theories, in an attempt to shift blame. Tony Dokoupil reports.
ABC News (8 Jan 2021 at 9:34 AM)
FBI begins urgent search for information on Capitol rioters. Authorities released images overnight from inside the government building, asking the public for help in identifying the pro-Trump supporters involved in the rampage.
CNN (8 Jan 2021 at 9:24 AM CT)
Ex-Trump communications director: He lied about 2020 election. Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah said Friday that President Donald Trump lied to the American people about the 2020 presidential election results and said that he should “seriously consider” resigning from office after Wednesday’s deadly insurrection at the US Capitol.
CBS News (8 Jan 2021 at 9:22 AM CT)
After Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, conspiracy theorists falsely blame antifa. Shortly after the deadly right-wing assault on the U.S. Capitol, internet conspiracy theories instead started blaming antifa, a loose-knit network of anti-fascist groups. CBSN technology reporter Dan Patterson joins Anne-Marie Green on “CBSN AM” to break down the current state of the QAnon conspiracy movement and its many tentacles.
Good Morning America (8 Jan 2021 at 8:42 AM CT)
DC attorney general discusses investigation into Capitol attack. Karl Racine’s shares how his office is assisting authorities to find perpetrators involved in the violent riot and if all of the people identified who broke the law will be brought to justice.
CBS This Morning (8 Jan 2021 at ~ 8:00 AM CT)
Capitol Hill police chief, staff members resign in aftermath of electoral vote confirmation chaos. There are new developments overnight in the aftermath of that violent assault on Capitol Hill including the death of a police officer, who responded to the riot. Five people are now dead and law enforcement is looking for dozens of people who were involved. CBS News’ Jeff Pegues has more.
CBS Evening News (7 Jan 2021 at ~ 11:30 PM CT)
Fears of new attacks after rioters breach Capitol. Some of the rioters involved in the Wednesday attack on the Capitol may be planning new attacks. Jeff Pegues reports. “A laptop that may contain sensitive national security information was stolen.”
ABC News (7 Jan 2021 at ~ 10:00 PM CT)
How the halls of Congress were overtaken. ABC News’ JuJu Chang breaks down the timeline of how the Capitol was overrun by President Donald Trump supporters Wednesday, and examines the police response.
Trump Supporters via Washington Post (7 Jan 2021 at ~ 9:30 PM CT)
After mob attack on Capitol, here is how Trump supporters view what happened. Trump supporters who gathered to protest the certification of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States describe how they view the events of Jan. 6, which culminated in rioters storming the U.S. Capitol.
Dan Crenshaw (7 Jan 2021 at ~ 7:30 PM CT)
CNN (7 Jan 2021 at 12:01 PM CT)
“After violent pro-Trump protesters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, a growing number of Republican leaders and Cabinet officials told CNN that they believe Donald Trump should be removed from office before January 20. Four of them called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, and two others said the President should be impeached.” [More…]
Source: “Angry Republican leaders float removing Trump from office,” CNN, 7 Jan at 12:01 PM CT [View]
Elaine Chao, Transportation Secretary (7 Jan 2021 at 12:36 PM CT)
Dear Department of Transportation colleagues:
Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed. As I’m sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.
I am tremendously proud of the many accomplishments we were able to achieve together for our country and I will never forget the commitment you have for this Department and the United States of America. I am hopeful that many of you will carry forward our vision to improve the lives of Americans through this Department and beyond.
Today, I am announcing my resignation as U. S. Secretary of Transportation, to take effect on Monday, January 11, 2020. We will help my announced successor Mayor Pete Buttigieg, with taking on the responsibility of running this wonderful department. With all good wishes to each one of you,
Sincerely,
Elaine
Source: Elain Chao, via Twitter, 7 Jan 2021 at 12:36 PM CT [View]
Mark Zuckerberg (7 Jan 2021 at 9:47 AM CT)
The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.
His decision to use his platform to condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters at the Capitol building has rightly disturbed people in the US and around the world. We removed these statements yesterday because we judged that their effect — and likely their intent — would be to provoke further violence.
Following the certification of the election results by Congress, the priority for the whole country must now be to ensure that the remaining 13 days and the days after inauguration pass peacefully and in accordance with established democratic norms.
Over the last several years, we have allowed President Trump to use our platform consistent with our own rules, at times removing content or labeling his posts when they violate our policies. We did this because we believe that the public has a right to the broadest possible access to political speech, even controversial speech. But the current context is now fundamentally different, involving use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.
We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great. Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.
Source: Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook, 7 Jan 2021 at 9:47 AM CT [View]
World Leaders Respond (7 Jan 2021 at 5:52 AM CT)
“A disgraceful act”; “a deliberate assault on Democracy”; “the result of lies and yet more lies;” “not America.” World leaders recoil at the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump. https://t.co/kHyAKP5WvW
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) January 7, 2021
Lindsey Graham, R-SC (6 Jan 2021 at about 9:16 PM CT)
In the video below, you can begin at about 2m 12s for the main message. [View]
Mitt Romney (6 Jan 2021 at 8:26 PM CT)
Don Winslow (6 Jan 2021 at 9:13 PM CT)
This just in:
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) January 7, 2021
You can attack and vandalize the capitol of the United States and the Capitol Police will:
-Escort you inside
-Take selfies with you inside
-Escort you back outside
-Let you walk away without arrest
Sarah Matthews (6 Jan 2021 at 7:02 PM CT)
Sarah Matthews, Special Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Press Secretary, resigned and offered the following statement.
“As someone who worked in the halls of Congress I was deeply disturbed by what I saw today. I’ll be stepping down from my role, effective immediately. Our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power.”
Source: “First lady’s chief of staff, White House deputy press secretary resign after Capitol Hill insurrection,” CNBC, article by Hannah Miao, 6 Jan 2021 at 7:02 PM CT [View]
Barack Obama (6 Jan 2021 at 6:56 PM CT)
History will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation. But we’d be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise.
Source: Barack Obama, via Twitter, 6 Jan 2021 at 6:56 PM CT [View]
For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth — that this was not a particularly close election and that President-Elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20. Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Now we’re seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo.
Right now, Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. They can choose America.
I’ve been heartened to see many members of the President’s party speak up forcefully today. Their voices add to the examples of Republican state and local election officials in states like Georgia who’ve refused to be intimidated and have discharged their duties honorably. We need more leaders like these — right now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead as President-Elect Biden works to restore a common purpose to our politics. It’s up to all of us as Americans, regardless of party, to support him in that goal.
Liz Cheney, R-WY (6 Jan 2021 at 5:21 PM)
Liz Cheney: “We just had a violent mob assault the US capitol … No question the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob, the President addressed the mob. He lit the flame.” pic.twitter.com/Mk0laFbQRo
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) January 6, 2021
Social Media Commentary (6 Jan 2021 at 5:14 PM CT)
Day 1 vs. Day 1,448 pic.twitter.com/OohffkCQrc
— 11th Hour (@11thHour) January 6, 2021
George W. Bush (6 Jan 2021 at 5:04 PM CT)
“Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nation’s government in disbelief and dismay. It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement. The violent assault on the Capitol – and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation. In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law. To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our country is more important than the politics of the moment. Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and safety. May God continue to bless the United States of America.”
Source: CSPAN, via Twitter, 6 Jan 2021 at 5:04 PM CT [View]
Joe Biden (6 Jan 2021 starting at 3:15 PM CT)
Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile. To preserve it requires people of good will, leaders with the courage to stand up, who are devoted not to pursuit of power and personal interest at any cost, but to the common good.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 7, 2021
Through war and strife, America has endured much. And we will endure here and prevail now. pic.twitter.com/OvNOV0ogWG
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
Our way is plain: It is the way of democracy — of lawfulness, and of respect — respect for each other, and for our nation.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
I call on President Trump to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding an end to this siege.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
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.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021
Mike Pence (6 Jan 2021 at 2:35 PM CT)
Peaceful protest is the right of every American but this attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 6, 2021