The Capitol Riot

On January 6th, 2021, the United States Capitol was violently attacked by thousands of Former President Donald Trump’s supporters. They were enraged due to the outcome of the 2021 election, won by President Joe Biden. 

The breaching of the Capitol took the lives of 5 people. News sources estimate that thousands of protestors were on the front steps of the Capitol waving Trump’s political banners. As time went on, protestors turned violent, breaking through the front entrance, and illegally entering the Capitol building where members of different branches of the government were certifying the election results. Some law enforcement officers who were in the building were injured and taken to local hospitals.

Law enforcement officers combatted the rioters with smoke grenades, stun grenades, and tear gas in the process of getting them out of the building.

CNN reported that, “it took until roughly 5:40 p.m. ET for the building to once again be secured, according to the sergeant-at-arms” 

 Lawmakers inside the building were commanded to take cover and some were told to wear gas masks. The Capitol’s National Guard Unit was deployed by the Pentagon to the Capitol in defense.

This was the first time the Capitol building was invaded since the British destroyed the building in 1814 during the war of 1812.