The attack on the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. that happened on Wednesday, Jan. 6 is being classified as a domestic terrorist attack. The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines domestic terrorism as “the committing of terrorist acts in the perpetrator’s own country against their fellow citizens.” This is reflective of when a crowd filled with supporters of President Donald Trump started the day with peaceful protest, but then, around 2 p.m., the crowd broke past the police barriers keeping them from getting close to the Capitol Building. Members of the crowd were able to force themselves past Capitol police and eventually break inside. Freshman Amelie Duch said, “The attacks at the Capitol were nothing less than an attempt to coup the election. I am severely disgusted that Americans would try to ruin what makes their country free: democracy. Even worse, they claim they are patriots, even though they have committed the most unpatriotic thing an American can do.”

The crowd was protesting because it believed that there were fraudulent votes in the 2020 election. Inside the Capitol, during the time of the raid, lawmakers were certifying the electoral votes of the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden. It is believed the motive behind the attack was to overturn the election, as, according to Voice of America, “Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol and ‘fight’ to overturn his election loss.” However, the election results remained in favor of Biden, and he was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. Trump was later impeached for “inciting insurrection.” Many people have strong feelings about what happened at the Capitol and what happened to former President Trump. Freshman Marisa Parco commented, “What happened at the capital was a huge embarrassment for America. It was extremely immature. Republicans have lost to Democrats and vice versa in the past, and the fact that so many Americans are acting like babies to this loss makes me scared for the future of our country. No wonder other countries look at us like brats. Also, the fact that the security did basically nothing blows my mind.”

Republicans all over America have expressed feelings of shame about the riots. According to MSN, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger from Illinois said, “Anybody that calls themselves a Republican like myself should be very ashamed right now.” Republican Mitch McConnell said, “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people,” according to USA Today. Ted Cruz, the Republican senator from Texas, tweeted, “Violence is always unacceptable. Even when passions run high.” Along with many Democrats, Republicans spoke out against the violence and were displeased with the reputation the rioters were giving the Republican party.

Many people were also outraged with the difference in the outcome and punishments of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests compared with the pro-Trump riot. People noted that there was a difference in the amount of force used by police and how they handled the situation in the BLM protests. Many believed that the police forces were not as involved and intense with Trump protests as they should be compared to how they were at BLM protests, as stated in an NPR article entitled “Activists Cite Difference Between BLM Protests, Capitol Breach.” At BLM protests, there was use of rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas, tasers, and people were arrested. However, at the pro-Trump protest, it seemed as if police were not as active. Freshmen Kerry Cullen said, “What happened at the Capitol was a horrible act of domestic terrorism that should not have happened. The cause of the attack was childish, how can you put the whole country in chaos because your candidate did not win? Also, the fact that they so easily got in really bugs me, because I think if it was an organization like BLM, many more people would’ve been badly hurt or dead.” As barriers were broken and people were breaching the Capitol, the Capitol police were overpowered.

It is likely that the protests were organized, and the police knew they were going to happen. By law, you need a permit to protest, and several powerful people suggested and requested to have the national guard there but were declined. However, the mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, did call for the national guard to go help direct traffic and keep the streets safe from Tuesday, Jan. 5, through Thursday, Jan. 7. She also had asked neighboring police forces to help if she called for them.

Trump has become the first president to be impeached twice. The House voted with all Democrats and 10 Republicans in favor of impeachment. While Trump was still in office, Democrats called for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. However, Pence refused to do so by saying, “I do not believe that such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with our Constitution.” This was written in a letter to Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.