Capitol Hill is the historic seat of American democracy. Some might say that riots are one expression of democracy in action. Certainly, peaceful protest is – but it was President Trump himself had to call in the National Guard following violent clashes between his supporters and police.
The storming – a rather grandiose term it has to be said – of Capitol Hill took place after supporters of the president deemed his loss a scandal organised by the left. This theory, perhaps conspiracy theory is a better term, was developed by Trump himself, with the businessman spreading the idea via his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in person at his rallies.
The result of the riot was the death of four people, three of which died of “medical emergencies” while the fourth was a woman who was shot at the scene. Although several stories, rumours and ideas have circulated since the incident it is believed that an explosive device was found as well as a truck of firearms. Consequently, 52 arrests were made and a curfew was ordered across the whole city.
Mr Trump later posted a minute-long video posted to his Twitter account – removed by Facebook and YouTube. He chose not to condemn the scenes of violence but did urge those who had gathered at the US Capitol to disperse. Despite the riot stemming from Trump’s supporters, the president’s number 2, Mike Pence, had to be ushered out of the Senate chamber to a secure location.
In a statement issued today, Mr Trump has finally relented. He stated that whilst he “100% disagrees with the election result,” he has agreed to a so-called “orderly transfer of power” to the incoming administration – to be completed by 20th January.
Mr Trump later added in another tweet “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long.”
The US Election Assistance Commission, a bipartisan federal agency, has confirmed that Mr Trump lost November’s election to Mr Biden by 306 Electoral College votes to 232 and was also beaten by more than seven million votes in the popular vote.
