PATH TO INSURECTION

On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump Supporters descended on Washington, DC, for a rally promoted by President Donald Trump. The prophetic words above tweeted by the president seem like an understatement in hindsight. It was on this day, fueled by months of misinformation, lies, and falsehoods about the 2020 election results, that Democracy’s foundation was shaken to its core. As I marched towards the Capitol with the rally’s attendees, I never expected the vitriol and aggression that met me at the Capitol steps. Hundreds of Trump supporters were storming the police barricades while shouting Vice President Mike Pence and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi were traitors. Many came prepared for battle with their own bear spray, mace, tasers, and baseball bats. Some carried nooses and others freely exhibited symbols and flags of white supremacy. I focused most of my attention on the west side of the Capitol. Trump supporters first breached the stands that were set up for Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th. To my left, they started scaling the walls of the building with their hands and rope systems. Within 30 minutes, barricades were torn from the Capitol Police’s hands and they were forced to retreat inside. Rubber bullets, tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades did little to deter the mob which had now grown to thousands participating in the assault. Cell phone service was down, but word trickled out that some Trump supporters gained access to the building and a woman had been shot. This news further inflamed the people outside and they doubled down on their attacks on police and attempts to enter through other doors and windows. It wasn’ t until later that night that news emerged that 4 others had died. The scene from that day was surreal like you were on the set of an apocalyptic movie about the end of America. And in a way it was, the United States will never be the same.

– Chris Suspect