Protesters Break Capitol Windows and Storm In... Police Clash with Guns Drawn
First Capitol Breach Since the 1812 US-UK War
Electoral Vote Ballot Boxes Successfully Protected
Republicans Also Condemn
Cabinet Members Signal Trump Impeachment Moves
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The storming of the U.S. Capitol, a symbol of American democracy, by supporters of President Donald Trump on the 6th (local time) is expected to be recorded as a 'nightmare' in American political history that will be remembered for a long time.
The U.S. Capitol is a symbolic place emphasizing the separation of powers in American politics. As such, crowds have gathered there at major turning points in political history. CNN reported that this was the first time the Capitol had been breached since the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain.
Chris Wallace, a Fox News anchor who moderated the last presidential debate, expressed regret, saying, "This is the first time I've seen something like this since the Vietnam War protests." The New York Times (NYT) reported that the mob, incited by President Trump, swept through the Capitol.
Former President Barack Obama stated in a press release, "History will remember today's violence, incited by a losing president, as a tremendous disgrace and shame for the nation."
◆ Breaking windows and entering the Capitol... gun standoff too = The incident occurred after the joint session of the House and Senate began at 1 p.m. to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The protesters were marching after hearing President Trump's refusal to concede speech at an outdoor rally in front of the White House. President Trump incited them through his speech at the rally.
Although President Trump's victory was expected, during the confirmation of the Arizona state's electoral votes won by Biden, Republican lawmakers opposed the certification and debate began. Contrary to concerns, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican, drew attention by admonishing, "Overturning the decisions of voters, courts, and state governments would plunge our democracy into a vortex of death."
At around 2:15 p.m., the protesters entered the Capitol. Police tried to block them but were severely outnumbered. Some protesters broke windows and stormed inside the Capitol. An evacuation order was issued, and lawmakers inside the Capitol and its annexes began to evacuate. Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the session, also evacuated outside. Lawmakers who could not escape locked the doors of the House chamber and offices and confronted the protesters.
Capitol police blocked the entrance to the chamber and drew their guns to prepare for the intrusion. Meanwhile, the protesters ransacked the inside of the Capitol. The office of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House and a political opponent of President Trump, became a target of the protesters. During this process, a woman was shot by law enforcement officers and was taken away, eventually dying.
There was also a harrowing moment when the ballot box for the electoral votes was spared damage. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, a congressional staffer evacuated the ballot box. Had this box disappeared, it would have inevitably caused major confusion in certifying the election results as intended by President Trump. Despite the severe damage, Congress continued the certification process that day. Speaker Pelosi emphasized after armed personnel secured the Capitol's safety, "The attack by the rioters will not deter us from our responsibility to certify President-elect Biden's victory." If the certification process is completed by that night, President-elect Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on the 20th.
◆ Republican figures also distance themselves from Trump... impeachment talks arise = Voices calling for the removal of President Trump poured out in the U.S. political sphere. Representative Ted Lieu argued that Vice President Pence should succeed the presidency after Trump. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers tweeted, "The Vice President and the Cabinet must immediately invoke the 25th Amendment to impeach President Trump," adding, "This is the last chance for sycophants to be on the right side of history."
The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for the Vice President to succeed the presidency. Particularly, Section 4 states that if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet notify Congress that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, the Vice President can become Acting President.
In fact, CNN reported that members of the Trump administration were discussing invoking the 25th Amendment to impeach President Trump.
Republican lawmakers also distanced themselves from President Trump. Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, who opposed certifying Arizona's election results, condemned the storming incident.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Fox News, "What is happening right now is absolutely unacceptable," and Senator Mitt Romney pointed out, "This incident was caused by the President today," calling it "an insurrection." Former President George W. Bush, also a Republican, raised his voice in criticism.
President Trump belatedly urged the protesters to go home peacefully. However, Twitter deleted a video containing President Trump's message and suspended his account for 12 hours.
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