By: Courtney Suber
The events that unfolded at the capitol on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, are sure to go down in history as some of the most horrific demonstrations in American History. In the media it was first portrayed as protest, then unorder, then insurrection. This produces the question: what CAN we call the events at the capitol? Is it right to define the outbursts and interruption as insurrection?
First of all, we have to set parameters for what can be defined as a protest, and what can be defined as insurrection. A protest is traditionally viewed as a public expression of objection to a law, rule, or act. There are several different types of protests though, ranging from peaceful to violent. To put these different forms of public expression under the same umbrella not only waters down the term but prevents us from completely identifying the actions that took place. For the sake of definition, violent protests can be referred to as riots. Riots are routinely referred to as a form of civil disorder that usually results in some form of violence. These definitions have been cast; so, what is insurrection? Insurrection is usually known as a violent uprising against government. Knowing the meaning of these words is essential to being able to come to a full conclusion about January 6ths strife and chaos.
To fully understand what the events can be defined as, we must understand the goals of those who stormed the capitol. It’s understood that their initial goal was to pause the counting of electoral votes and house confirmation. Now, can this be seen as rebellion, an uprising? The stopping of electoral votes to prevent the promotion of a new president is indeed rebellion. To rebel is to act against a rule or law set into place and acting against the electoral process does fit into the framework. Trump supporters and outside groups who stormed the capitol led a rebellion, which can directly coincide with the definition of insurrection. While the events that unfolded CAN we referred to as riots, if we are to follow the guidelines for insurrection, this incident can be seen as such.
Some have been quick to claim this event can be seen as domestic terrorism, or a terror attack upon the state, However, this takes away from the true severity of the event. Terrorism is commonly seen as and referred to as, “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.” While this definition seems like the proper framework we need to label this event, we must view in what context terrorism and domestic terrorism is usually seen. Events like 9/11 and the knife attack which happened in Nice France, are both seen as domestic terrorism, but these two events were encouraged by outsiders to the countries in which they happened . To assign the attack on our Capitol to a foreign actor is to devalue the awfulness of groups that reside in our own state. This assault on our democracy was headed by our own nationals who wished to overturn the election process, which is indeed insurrection.
Congress has also pushed to publish Articles of Impeachment including the incitement of insurrection. The house voted on January 11th, 2021. All 222 democrats voted to issue the impeachment, while only 10 republicans voted to do the same. Republican congresswoman from Wyoming, Liz Cheney, claimed that the president “incited a mob to attack and interrupt the democratic process. And then, while the violence played out, the president refused to take steps to stop it.” While other republicans did not vote for impeachment, several have critiqued Trump with very few coming to his defense. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California stated, “The President bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding.” Even those who do not support impeachment have made the claim that Trump is still accountable for the events that occurred at the Capitol on the faithful day that was January 6th.
With this set-in stone… what now? Should these protestors and insurrectionists be prosecuted under the highest level of the law? Anyone who believes in civil order and the American government would say so. To attack a building as sacred as the capitol and to attempt to cause physical harm to our elected lawmakers is a direct assault on democracy and should absolutely not go without punishment.
Sources:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/liz-cheney-impeachment-republicans-herrera-beutler-wyoming
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/trump-impeachment-guide/
