Four years in the past, a tumultuous event unfolded as numerous Americans forcefully commandeered the legislative body to thwart the tranquil shift of governance. The Capitol Riot was an eccentric aberration, massively deviating from the age-old custom of validating the president-elect, and making the upcoming January 6 ceremony seem starkly disciplined in contrast. As the declaration of President-elect Donald Trump is awaited on the imminent Monday, the unprecedented upheaval that rocked the Capitol in 2021 has been pushed into the shadows for some. Others, however, view it as a monumental disaster, tarnishing the shine of American democracy.
Amidst this anticipatory environment, an insistent drive by Trump and his cohorts to alter the universally accepted narrative of the 2021 Capitol incident is adding another layer to the situation. Initially, Trump had condemned the insurgents’ violent activities labeling them ‘heinous attack’ but his denouncement was short-lived. The previous October, he presented the outrageous assault on the Capitol as a symbol of ‘love’. Such a paradoxical description provides a jarring contrast to the anticipated solemn process of the Electoral College’s votes certification on the coming Monday.
This upcoming formal confirmation of the electoral votes is generally considered a routine affair. The House and Senate are scheduled to assemble in a joint meeting on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris expected to oversee the proceedings. The legislative bodies will delegate ‘tellers’ for the vote count, assess any disputes, and finally pronounce the victor.
In spite of serving her tenure under the shared administration of Biden and Harris, it would seem that Harris is more concerned with the smooth transition of power to the Trump administration rather than bolstering her own political allies. According to a spokeswoman, Harris is, surprisingly, cooperating with President Trump and his transition team. The statement outlines ‘When Kamala Harris endorses the election results, President Trump will honor his pledge to cater to ALL Americans and unite the nation via triumph.’
This sober announcement of election victories has been a brief occasion in the past. For instance, in 2009, Barack Obama’s presidential attainment was announced in 36 minutes. Then again in 2013, it took only 22 minutes to certify Obama’s second term. Even in 2017, the ratification of Trump’s win took merely 41 minutes. Tragically, the militant takeover of the Capitol complex in 2021 drew out the process to an exhausting 14 hours and 48 minutes before the declaration of Joe Biden as the winner.
Post-insurrection, over 1,500 individuals have faced legal charges. Four years later, the FBI is still making nearly 30 arrests monthly. Yet, an orchestrated endeavor is underway in the(right wing) camps to rewrite the account of 2021’s insurrection in a more favorable light.
On the fateful day of January 6, 2021, an estimated 10,000 people breached police restraints to trespass the Capitol grounds. Approximately 2,000 of those infiltrated the Capitol premises causing untold damage. The Boisterous riot resulted in four casualties, including a protestor killed in the attempt to approach escaping congressmen. The subsequent chain of events also led to the death of a Capitol police officer due to strokes, along with four self-inflicted officer fatalities in the time since.
Moreover, the insurrection left over 150 officers wounded, several of whom are grappling with permanent disabilities. Thankfully, the upcoming January 6 this year isn’t expected to mirror the horrid events of 2021, as Vice President Harris is set to affirm her own electoral loss gracefully.
In contrast to the anticipated peacefulness of the upcoming event, let’s take a closer look at what unfolded on January 6, 2021. It’s a stark reminder that political upheaval can disrupt even the most established practices, casting a shadow over the foundational principles of democracy. It also underscores the critical need for law enforcement preparedness, as the devastating event had far-reaching consequences, many of which are still being dealt with four years later.