It's a dark day in America. A mob of Trump supporters have breached Capitol security and broken into the building to oppose the counting of electoral votes.
Crowds of people — many who were seen wearing MAGA hats and waving American and pro-Trump flags — stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, sending Congress into lockdown and causing chaos in Washington, D.C. The rioters greatly outnumbered Capitol security to the point where they were able to filter inside after breaking glass, leaving many to wonder why authorities weren't more prepared to take action and control the scene.
The attempted coup came as the certification of Joe Biden's election was underway inside — and on the same day that Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won the Georgia Senate runoff elections. However, the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rally was planned for Jan. 6 ahead of time, and Trump has been encouraging supporters to attend on social media. He even said he'd make an appearance at what he referred to as a "historic day."
When the situation started to get out of hand, rather than intervene and discourage the large crowd from forcibly gaining entry to the Capitol, Trump tweeted a criticism of Vice President Mike Pence which was widely seen as egging on the mob.
As the situation in D.C. continues to escalate and rioters appear to freely roam through the Capitol without much law enforcement opposition, it's hard not to think back to the Black Lives Matter protests that took place around the country last summer after George Floyd was murdered by police.
The lack of initial police intervention in these Capitol riots and the tame interactions seen between law enforcement and members of the mob (as captured in this video of police taking selfies with people inside the building) provides a stark contrast to the way authorities handled peaceful protesters last summer. Many anti-racism protesters were met with excessive police presences, pepper spray, tear gas, and more over the top tactics that we have yet to see on display at the Capitol. Here's a look at how differently the two situations were handled. (Alternating photos between the Capitol riot and 2020 protests.)
January 6, 2021: Supporters of President Donald Trump protest outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the certifying Joe Biden as the next president.
Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP
JUNE 2, 2020: Members of the D.C. National Guard stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as demonstrators participate in a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Washington, D.C.
Credit: Win McNamee / Getty Image
January 6, 2021: Supporters of President Donald Trump take over stands set up for the presidential inauguration as they protest at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Credit: Olivier DOULIERY / AFP
JUNE 2, 2020: Members of the D.C. National Guard stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial monitoring demonstrators during a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd.
Credit: Win McNamee / Getty Images
January 6, 2021: Supporters of President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images
June 1, 2020: Police clash with protesters during a demonstration in Washington, D.C. Thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout Washington after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis when police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Credit: Joshua Roberts / Getty Images
January 6, 2021: Supporters of President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images
JUNE 6, 2020: A demonstrator stands in front of the Lincoln Memorial during a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Washington, D.C.
Credit: Win McNamee / Getty Images
January 6, 2021: A man calls on people to raid the building as Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
Credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/ AFP
JUNE 1, 2020: Demonstrators confront law enforcement during an anti-police brutality protest in downtown Washington, D.C.
Credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
January 6, 2021: Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Credit: Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images
June 1, 2020: A protester raises her hands near a line of National Guard soldiers deployed near the White House as demonstrations against George Floyd's death continued.
Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
