The Capitol Siege — History Before Our Very Eyes

American Civil War Round Two?

Adam De Salle
7 min readJan 7, 2021

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(Credit: Leah Millis/ Reuters)

Not even a week into 2021 and we already have another history defining moment happening before our eyes — as if 2020 didn’t provide enough content already for history degrees for years to come. So, the question on all our lips, both in and outside of the US, is: what is going on in America?

What Happened?

On Wednesday 6th of January 2021,at 12 pm EST, President Trump, the tyrant in the toupee, made a speech in Washington, asserting his false claim (that had been proven false by the Supreme Court), of widespread election fraud. I mean, its hardly surprising is it? I don’t know about you, but I never thought Trump would go quietly. Trump said in his Washington speech, “We will never give up. We will never.” However, his Vice President, Mike Pence, seemed to have other ideas, refusing to overturn the results of the election, and refusing Trumps demands to send the electoral college votes back to the state. Seems Pence has at least a tiny semblance of respect for the democratic process. After the President’s speech, a crowd marches up Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol.

At 1 pm, Pence publicly defies Trump, stating he’d follow Constitution rather than the order of the orange despot. Pence proceeds to preside over a joint session of Congress to certify election results, with roughly 100 Republican House of Representatives members and a dozen Senators saying they would try to stop the vote count.

At 2 pm, Mitch McConnell (to quote one commenter on one of my previous stories, “may he eat shit and die”), said the will of the voters should not be overridden by Congress, “If we overrule them, we will damage our republic forever.” Capitol buildings begin to get evacuated because Trump rioters — perhaps they should be called domestic terrorists, but I am making a point to not call them protesters, because this is not a protest — were let past barriers, and smashed, climbed and fought their way into the Capitol.

At 2:20 pm, Senate recessed its debate over objections to the electoral college voters, and then at 2:59 pm, rioters are reported to have entered the Senate Chamber, while lawmakers on the 3rd floor are evacuated, Pence being the first amongst them. Tear gas…

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Adam De Salle

I am a young writer interested in providing the intellectual tools to those in the political trenches so that they may fight their battles well-informed.