.jpg)
.jpg)
Ke'Shunta Drake is an Assistant Editor at Historianspeaks.org. Sheis a graduate student at Michigan State University. where ahe is completing studies in English literature.
On January 6, 2021, Trump Supporters stormed the United States Capitol building as Congress certified the 2020 Presidential Election results. Before the rioters stormed the Capitol, President Trump addressed his grievances against the electoral system. He called the outcome rigged and castigated Mike Pence as lacking the courage to interfere with the certification process. This rhetoric ignited a rage causing many of his followers to storm the United States Capitol building.
During the riot, Trump's followers looted the building and five people died. As the riot ensued, President-elect Joe Biden called on President Trump to stop the rioters. Minutes later, President Trump tweeted and uploaded a video stating: "Go Home. We love You." Following President Trump's tweet, he was banned from social media. Forty-eight hours after the Capitol riots Trump condemned his followers, saying: "You will pay." He also acknowledged the new administration.
Although Trump denounced the rioters, he refused to acknowledge his role in the chaos. During the speech, Trump refused to admit that he instigated Capitol riot. Yet, his tweets tell a different story. On December 31, 2020, Trump tweeted that he would see his followers on January 6. Between December 31 and January 6th. Trump often tweeted about the fraudulent nature of the Presidential election.
Rather than taking responsibility for his actions, President Trump blamed his followers. He instigated the violent attack on the nation's capital with his false allegations. Trump represents white supremacy, and his actions reveal the broad support white supremacy and white supremacists enjoy. Many of the rioters were labeled as protestors, which downplayed their violent behavior. These rioters stormed the Capitol building, which is federal property, looted it, and tried to violently attack Congress members, yet they were labeled as protesters. Many of the rioters were allowed to leave the Capitol after their vicious attempt to overthrow the government. So far, fewer than eighty of the thousands of people involved in the riot were arrested.
Moreover, the National Guard was not fully mobilized until 6 pm. In the interim, D.C. Metropolitan Police took the lead in containing the crowd and sweeping them away from Capitol grounds. Most of the arrests that day were made after 6 pm. These arrests were primarily individuals who violated the curfew. Rioters involved in the vandalization and looting of the Capitol have yet to be charged for their actions --despite being identified by authorities.
There is a clear double standard regarding law and order in America. The treatment of peaceful Black protestors during the Black Lives Matter protest in the summer was quite different. Many of the individuals who took part in the demonstrations were labeled "thugs and criminals." Unlike the individuals who participated in the Capitol riot, these demonstrators were arrested on the scene. This incident also displays America's long history of supporting white supremacy. It is important l to note that these individuals and organizations did not act alone. A wide range of supporters existed within law enforcement and among congressional members who enabled Trump's rhetoric and actions throughout his presidency. America polices its Black citizens but allows its white citizens expansive freedom. The events that played out at the U.S. Capitol show American citizens and the world that America still believes in white supremacy.