An attack on the principles that define America

The scenes in Capitol Hill tonight are the sort that many Americans thought they would never live to see.  A violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, overwhelming law enforcement and firing their weapons into the Senate chamber. Four people have died – one woman shot and killed – and there are reports of police injuries.

The Senate was debating (and set to certify) the results of the presidential election. Senators were evacuated just after 2pm – as was Vice President Mike Pence, who is thought to be a major target of the protestors after he announced he would not be swayed by Donald Trump’s call to try to overturn the election result. Condemnation has been swift, unequivocal and from across the political spectrum. Reince Priebus, a former Trump Chief of Staff, referred to the mob as ‘domestic terrorists’. Mitt Romney has called it an ‘insurrection’. Washington DC is now under a stay-at-home curfew. 

Despite confirmation through recounts, investigations and a Supreme Court ruling, Trump has refused to concede to Biden, spending months stoking his followers with anger and doubt over the result.