Trump supporters storm the Capitol

Created by NIE in Politics 17 Jan 2025

Trump
supporters storm the Capitol

On
January 6, 2021, a violent attack occurred at the U.S. Capitol in Washington,
D.C. Supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building,
disrupting Congress as it met to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020
presidential election.

The
attack sent shockwaves around the world, considering that the United States is
considered a leading democracy in the world.

The
attack was fuelled by false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020
election, promoted by President Trump and his allies. Trump had encouraged his
supporters to gather in Washington for a rally on that day, urging them to
“fight like hell” to prevent Biden from becoming president. Many attendees at
the rally marched to the Capitol shortly after and breached security barriers.

The
mob overwhelmed law enforcement and forced their way into the Capitol, breaking
windows, vandalizing offices, and stealing property. Lawmakers and staff were
rushed to secure locations, and Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding
over the certification, was evacuated. The violent clash lasted for hours.

Five
people died as a result of the clash, including a Capitol Police officer and
four civilians. Over 140 police officers were injured.

The
events led to widespread condemnation. Trump was accused of inciting the riot,
and the House of Representatives impeached him for the second time a week
later. The FBI arrested hundreds of individuals involved in the attack.
Security around the Capitol was significantly increased, with fencing and
thousands of National Guard troops deployed to protect it.

President
Biden was sworn in on January 20 under heavy security. January 6 remains a
lesson around the world, and even in Kenya, on the importance of avoiding
political extremism, the fragility of democracy when leaders influence the masses
against the law, and the importance of peaceful transitions of power.