The Conversation (0)
On January 6, 2021, supporters of President Donald Trump’s big lie stormed the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The rioters sought to overturn Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election by disrupting a joint session of Congress gathered together to count the electoral votes that would formally indicate the then President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
As the Capitol Complex was locked down and staff and lawmakers were evacuated, rioters assaulted law enforcement officers, occupied the building for countless hours and vandalised government property.
More than 100 police officers were injured in the incident. Four officers who also responded to the attack passed away by suicide.
National Guard soldiers also spent the night in the Capitol hallways as a security precaution before the vote to impeach Trump for a second time.
In a statement on the six-month anniversary, Biden said that the Trump supporters created a “violent and deadly assault.”
“They launched a violent and deadly assault on the people’s house, on the people’s representatives, and on the Capitol police sworn to protect them, as our duly elected Congress carried out the sacred ritual of our republic and certified the Electoral College vote. This was not dissent. It was disorder,” he said.
Despite this, in December 2021, Trump, who has to plan to address the insurrection nation, is still calling it an “unarmed protest” and playing it down.
But with several photos captured from the incident, it is clear that it was, in fact, a horrifying day.
Here are 15 photos that show how shocking the day was.
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
A member of the US Capitol police could be seen ushering Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) out of the House Chamber during the joint meeting session of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Congress Holds Joint Session To Ratify 2020 Presidential Election. Getty Images
Capitol Police officers detain insurrectionists outside of the House Chamber
DC - JANUARY 06: U.S. Capitol Police officers detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021. Getty Images
A Trump supporter holds up an American flag that has “2nd Amendment Trump Law and Order” written on it as Capitol Police are on horseback facing the Washington Monument at the “Stop The Steal” Rally
Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Two Trump supporters stand in front of a massive printout of US Constitution’s Preamble. One is holding up a Trump 2020 sign and a “Stop the Tyranny” sign
Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Trump supporters stand on top of a large tree branch in front of the Washington Monument at the “Stop The Steal” Rally
Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Trump supporters go head to head with Capitol Police outside of the US Capitol building
Trump supporters try to push past Capitol Police as they begin to storm inside the building
Trump Supporters Hold "Stop The Steal" Rally In DC Amid Ratification Of Presidential Election WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol in Washington D.C on January 6, 2021. Getty Images
Trump supporters attempting to climb their way inside the Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Thousands of Donald Trump supporters storm the United States Capitol building following a "Stop the Steal" rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protesters stormed the historic building, breaking windows and clashing with police. Getty Images
Capitol Police officer flushes another officer’s eyes out with water after suffering the effects of chemical agents tossed at him and others by Trump supporters
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A pro-Trump protester is tended to by a police officer while suffering the effects of chemical agents used to disperse crows after protesters stormed the grounds the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Trump supporter appears to use a rail to try and get inside one of the rooms in the Capitol building
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A member of a pro-Trump mob bashes an entrance of the Capitol Building in an attempt to gain access on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Getty Images
Trump supporters breach the Capitol’s security and gather around at the Rotunda, taking pictures beside statues
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump gather gather in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol after groups breached the building’s security on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation’s capital. Getty Images
Trump supporters congregating near Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office in the Capitol building
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump gather near the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. Capitol after groups breached the building’s security on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation’s capital. Getty Images
Trump supporters aggressively flock inside the Capitol holding flags in support of the former commander-in-chief
Trump supporters get inside the Senate Chamber
Trump supporters bust a hole in one of the Capitol building’s windows. A “Stop The Steal” sign can be seen as well
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A Stop The Steal is posted inside of the Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob broke into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. Getty Images
Top 100
