In the blowback of public opinion against the insurrection, Republican leaders suggested that anti-fascist groups were responsible for the violence, but there was no evidence of “antifa” participation in the riots, law enforcement agencies report. Instead, Wikipedia noted that supporters of the right-wing “Boogaloo” movement, the Three Percenters, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, QAnon, the Groyper Army, and National-anarchism, as well as Neo-Confederates and Black Hebrew Israelites, among others, were reportedly present or wore emblematic gear or symbols during the riots. Neo-Nazi apparel was also worn by some participants during the riots, including a shirt emblazoned with references to the Auschwitz–Birkenau concentration camp and its motto, “Arbeit macht frei” (German for “work makes you free”). After the event, members of the Nationalist Social Club, a neo-Nazi street gang, detailed their participation in the storming and claimed the acts were the “beginning of the start of White Revolution in the United States.”
The Associated Press reviewed public and online records of more than 120 participants after the storming and found that many of them shared conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election on social media and had also believed other beliefs shared by the QAnon conspiracy theory. Additionally, several had threatened Democratic and Republican politicians before the storming. The event was organized online, with pro-Trump internet personalities taking part and fans livestreaming and taking selfies during the riots.
Trump announced plans for the rally before the Jan. 6 vote count to continue his challenge to the validity of several states’ election results. On Dec. 18, Trump announced, “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!
The rioters had openly planned to disrupt the counting of Electoral College ballots for several weeks prior to the event, and had called for violence against Congress, Pence, law enforcement and news media. Plans were coordinated on “alt-tech” platforms – distinct from larger social media platforms such as Reddit or Twitter, which have implemented bans to censor violent language and images. Websites were used to discuss previous Trump rallies and to make plans for storming the Capitol. Many of the posters planned for violence prior to the event, with some individuals discussing how to avoid police on the streets, which tools to bring to help pry open doors, and how to smuggle weapons into Washington D.C., Raw Story reported (11/6). Following clashes with Metro police during protests (12/12), the Proud Boys and far-right groups turned against supporting law enforcement. At least one group, Stop the Steal, posted (12/23), its plans to occupy the Capitol with promises to “escalate” if met with opposition from law enforcement.
The FBI spoke to over a dozen known extremists and “was able to discourage those individuals from traveling to D.C.,” according to a senior FBI official. The FBI shared information with the Capitol Police in advance of the protest, NBC News reported (1/10).
At least 13 Republican current and former state legislators were present at the event, including Nevada State Assemblywoman Annie Black, Virginia State Senator Amanda Chase, Alaska State Representative David Eastman, West Virginia Delegate Derrick Evans, Missouri State Representative Justin Hill, Arizona State Representative Mark Finchem, Michigan State Representative Matt Maddock, Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano, and Tennessee Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, as well as outgoing Georgia State Representative Vernon Jones, outgoing Arizona State Representative Anthony Kern, and former Pennsylvania State Representative Rick Saccone. Weaver claimed to have been “in the thick of it,” while Evans filmed himself entering the Capitol alongside rioters. All denied participating in acts of violence. Evans was later charged by federal authorities with entering a restricted area; he resigned from the House of Delegates (1/9).
A Defense official said some military members on active and reserve duty may have been involved in the riot. Police officers and a police chief from departments in multiple states are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the riot.
Police found improvised explosive devices in several locations near the Capitol, including pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican national committees. The devices were believed to have been planted prior to the riots. They were safely detonated by bomb squads, and police later said they were “hazardous” and could have caused “great harm.” The FBI distributed a photo of the person who they believe planted the devices and issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information. Another suspected pipe bomb was found on the grounds of the Capitol complex. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund told the Washington Post (1/10) he suspected the pipe bombs were placed to draw police away from the Capitol.
A vehicle containing a semi-automatic rifle, a pistol and a cooler full of 11 Molotov cocktails was also found near the Capitol. The owner was subsequently arrested. He had two concealed handguns in his pockets and was charged with carrying unregistered firearms.
Journalists were manhandled, threatened and had equipment stolen or damaged by supporters, ABC News reported.
REMEMBER: TRUMP’S INSURRECTION FAILED. The rioters’ occupation of the Capitol interrupted the certification process on the election for nearly six hours, but the Senate resumed debate on the election certification at 8 p.m., where Republicans continued to object to certification of Bush electors. The Senate rejected the objection for Arizona electors 93-6 at 9:58 p.m with Republican senators Josh Hawley (MO), Ted Cruz (TX), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), John Neely Kennedy (LA), Roger Marshall (KS) and Tommy Tuberville (AL) voting to reject the election. At 11:08 p.m. the House also rejected the Arizona election protest, 303-121. After another debate over Pennsylvania, the Senate rejected the objection by a 92–7 vote, with Republican Sens. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Rick Scott of Florida switching to vote in favor and Kennedy voting against. At 3:08 a.m., the House voted 282-138 to reject the objection. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) told Reason magazine several of his Republican colleagues would have voted to certify the votes, but did not out of fear for the safety of their families. At least one specifically voted to overturn Biden’s victory against their conscience because the Republican was shaken by the mob attack that day, Meijer wrote in the Detroit News (11/10).
At 3:41 a.m. on Jan. 7, Congress finally confirmed the Electoral College vote, with Biden’s 306 to Trump’s 232. Pence declared that Biden and Harris would take office on Jan. 20.
SOME TRUMP RIOTERS WERE SURPRISED WHEN THEY TRIED TO FLY HOME AFTERWARD. After pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol (1/6) causing chaos and inflicting violence, the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security called for these individuals to be put on the no-fly list. The call followed multiple incidents in which passengers flying to D.C. before the riot were non-mask compliant, rowdy, argumentative and harassed crew members. Alaska Airlines announced at least 14 passengers were banned from flying. Aysha Qamar noted at DailyKos (1/11).
”Given the heinous domestic terrorist attack on the US Capitol yesterday, I am urging the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use their authorities to add the names of all identified individuals involved in the attack to the federal No-Fly List and keep them off planes,” Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-MS, chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, said in a statement. “This should include all individuals identified as having entered the Capitol building—an intrusion which threatened the safety of Members of Congress and staff and served as an attack on our Nation. Alleged perpetrators of a domestic terrorist attack who have been identified by the FBI should be held accountable.”
The president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Sara Nelson shared similar thoughts (1/6), noting that actions that harm the country should result in revoking one’s freedom of flight. “The mob mentality behavior that took place on several flights to the D.C. area yesterday was unacceptable and threatened the safety and security of every single person on board,” Nelson told Reuters. “Acts against our democracy, our government and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight.”
As the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the FBI took action to remove some of Trump’s rioters who attempted to fly home after invading the Capitol this week, videos of these individuals reacting to the news of their inability to fly went viral on social media under #NoFlyList. While it isn’t confirmed that these individuals were added to a no-fly list, that didn’t stop the hashtag from trending.
In one clip on Twitter, a man sobs as he is called a “terrorist.” The man was comforted by a woman who said she was removed from a Delta flight earlier. That woman’s removal can be seen in another clip.
One commenter noted, “The #NoFlyList is great. The fact that those people can still go buy an assault rifle after getting kicked off the plane for trying to overthrow the government … not so great.”
FBI WARNS PRO-TRUMP EXTREMISTS PLAN ARMED ACTIONS IN STATE CAPITOLS. The FBI warned law enforcement agencies across the US that armed protests by Boogaloo Boys and other far-right groups are possible at state capitols throughout the nation starting later this week, and that an unnamed militant group is planning a “huge uprising” if President Trump is removed from office for inciting the deadly mob invasion of the US Capitol, Brett Wilkins noted at CommonDreams (1/11).
“The FBI received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, D.C. on 16 January,” the FBI bulletin read. “They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment, a huge uprising will occur.”
According to ABC News, the FBI has also received information that an unnamed right-wing extremist group is calling for “storming” federal, state, and local courthouses and other government buildings in the event that Trump is removed from office before his term expires on Jan. 20.
REPUBLICANS GRABBED WOLF BY THE EARS AND THEY CAN’T LET GO. Not 48 hours after elements of their political base ransacked the Capitol in what now appears to have been at least in part a very well-organized lynch mob, Charles Pierce noted at Esquire.com (1/11), Republicans have gotten their followers ginned up about the fact that large private American corporations at long last have come to the realization that being vehicles for armed sedition against the United States is bad for business. They’ve explained that they are the real victims of their own looting and pillaging. And, since both terrified congressional staffers and the guys who erected a damn gallows on the National Mall have been equally traumatized by the events of last week, it’s time for us to move on, in unity, lest the tender fee-fees of the MAGA Ostrogoths once again drive them to insurrection.
“And this is not coming from the criminals themselves, or from their lawyers, who could be expected to promote such unmitigated horses**t. It’s coming from the elected leadership of the Republican Party in Congress, people who work in the very building that was so profaned on January 6.” The Hill reported (11/8) that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) callied for unity and a smooth transition of power.
“Impeaching the President with just 12 days left in his term will only divide our country more. I have reached out to President-elect [Joe] Biden today and plan to speak to him about how we must work together to lower the temperature and unite the country to solve America’s challenges.”
McCarthy added. “The coronavirus is still coursing through our communities, businesses and workers are facing unprecedented stress, and children are falling behind. Threats from adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran are increasing. As leaders, we must call on our better angels and refocus our efforts on working directly for the American people. United we can deliver the peace, strength, and prosperity our country needs. Divided, we will fail.”
Twitter came alive with Republican calls for “unity” in the face of the terrorism their own actions inspired, and many of those calls were approximately as heartfelt as a ransom call. “This, from Ted Cruz, palace eunuch at Camp Runamuck, is fairly typical,” Pierce notedl.
“Really sad. At a time of deep national division, President-elect Biden’s choice to call his political opponents literal Nazis does nothing to bring us together or promote healing. This kind of vicious partisan rhetoric only tears our country apar,” Cruz tweeted.
And Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, “is quite clear that the opposition to removing this criminal president* has behind it the threat of further mob action,” Pierce noted..
“Those calling for impeachment or invoking the 25th Amendment in response to President Trump’s rhetoric this week are themselves engaging in intemperate and inflammatory language and calling for action that is equally irresponsible and could well incite further violence,” Brady said. “They are placing a desire for vengeance above the best interests of the country. President-elect Joe Biden is right to reject calls to go down this dangerous path which will only further divide the country.”
Pierce noted, “The gall. The sheer, unmitigated, steel-belted, gold-plated gall it takes for these people to make this argument, not a week after five people died in the worst battle in the US Capitol since the Royal Marines blew town, can only be attributed to politicians who are confident that the forces of unreason and violence have their backs. And Republican conservatives have been playing footsie with those forces for decades.”
MONTHS BEFORE CAPITOL RIOT, DHS GUTTED THREAT ASSESSMENT GROUP. In the months leading up to the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol (1/6), the Trump administration gutted a key federal agency responsible for funneling intelligence and threat assessments to law enforcement partners across the country, two federal officials told ABC News (1/9).
As a result, officials said, the information vacuum left behind may have deprived law enforcement in Washington, D.C., of a key avenue for actionable warnings that could have helped officers prepare for the inbound threat posed by right-wing extremists who gathered on the National Mall (1/6).
“Prior to Jan. 6, there were mountains of pre-existing intelligence that should have been collected, analyzed and disseminated to the federal, state and local authorities,” one of the officials told ABC News.
One of the officials said that by Jan. 4, for example, Department of Homeland Security intelligence leaders had received field reports detailing that people known to law enforcement were heading to the Capitol, and that they were heading there in many cases with weapons and ropes.
“Several officials were aware of this intelligence and also assessed violence was likely,” said one official.
However, “no specific plans were put in place ahead of time as it would have been done in the past,” he said.
Had the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis been operating at full capacity over the previous months, the officials said, US Capitol Police would have had a clearer picture of the “specific and credible” threats of violence posed by groups planning to attend Wednesday’s rally.
The operations and staffing at DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis had been slashed in the wake of controversy surrounding the department’s response to civil unrest in Portland, Ore., over the summer, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The agency came under scrutiny at the time for disseminating reports to law enforcement agencies that included journalists’ tweets about documents that were leaked from the department.
As a result, at least two critical intelligence-gathering programs were essentially shuttered, and the office’s routine of issuing planning bulletins to police in advance of major public events was all but terminated.
GA GOP LOOKS TO CURB ABSENTEE VOTING DAYS AFTER LOEFFLER AND PERDUE CONCEDE. After years of targeted efforts to suppress the Black vote in Georgia, the state’s Republicans are looking to give new life to Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, this time by changing state law when the legislative session starts Jan. 11. Republicans are proposing to eradicate “no excuse” absentee voting, ban mailers with unrequested absentee ballot applications, and banish drop boxes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported (1/7). This move comes after 1.3 million Georgia voters opted to cast absentee ballots in the presidential election, helping to flip a state that hasn’t backed a Democrat for president since former President Bill Clinton in 1992.
State Sen. Burt Jones (R) actually claimed that voting during a pandemic is safer in person than using drop boxes or voting by mail. “When you don’t have a secure chain of custody, particularly with drop boxes, there’s no reason for that to be in the process,” he told the newspaper. “You’ve got three weeks of early voting and Saturday voting. You’ve given ample time and opportunities for people to get the effort to go in to vote.”
Georgia House Minority Leader James Beverly translated for the wider public: “They lost, and now they want to change the rules to give themselves a competitive advantage,” the Democrat told the AJC. “The pendulum swings, and people can see through this foolishness in the truest sense of suppression and disenfranchisement.”
Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has repeatedly supported calls to end “no excuse” absentee voting despite a 2005 law that has legalized the practice for more than 15 years, Lauren Floyd noted at DailyKos (1/10). ”This cycle has shown, we need to move to an excuse-based system for absentee voting,” Raffensperger said last month at a virtual hearing on voting security. “The no-excuses system voted into law in 2005—long before most of you, if not all of you, long before I was in the General Assembly—it makes no sense when we have three weeks of in-person, early voting available. It opens the door to potential illegal voting.”
Somehow, he managed to make this claim while also assuring Georgia voters that the widespread election fraud Trump has repeatedly claimed is all but nonexistent, with Raffensperger’s office only investigating isolated examples. “Everything we’ve done for the last 12 months follows the Constitution, the state of Georgia, follows the United States Constitution, follows state law,” he told ABC News after facing threats from the president to “find” his votes to win the election. “We were having to adapt to a pandemic, and that did propose challenges.”
CRITICS WARN NEW DOMESTIC TERROR LAWS WOULD BE USED AGAINT LEGIT PROTEST. Hearing ominous echoes of the post-9/11 crackdown on civil liberties, progressives are warning of the serious dangers posed by the renewed push for fresh laws targeting “domestic terrorism” in the wake of the deadly assault on the US Capitol by a mob of Donald Trump’s fanatical supporters, Jake Johnson reported at CommonDreams (1/11).
While acknowledging the threat posed by right-wing extremists across the nation and affirming the need for forceful action in response to the Jan. 6 attack, observers noted that existing federal laws are more than sufficient to hold the insurrectionists to account for invading the halls of Congress with possible intent to hold lawmakers hostage, attempting to topple the US government, and potentially committing murder.
“There are already plenty of tools at the government’s disposal to crack down on far-right insurrection,” The Week’s Ryan Cooper wrote in a column (1/10).
The problem, Cooper argued, is not a lack of laws but rather a deficiency of will from “police departments and security agencies [that] are composed largely of conservative Republicans, and not a few open fascists.” Putting new laws in place would only hand law enforcement agencies additional weapons to wield against the left, Cooper wrote.
“If you just charge the existing agencies with breaking up domestic insurgent networks, at best they will shirk, delay, and drag their feet, and at worst they will completely ignore the fascists while turning any new tools against Black Lives Matter and other left-wing protesters,” said Cooper. “Indeed, this is already happening—so far, the charges against the fascist mob have been trespassing or other minor crimes, rather than the felony riot charges the leftist J20 defendants faced for simply being near minor property destruction in downtown D.C. on the day of Trump’s inauguration.”
The Wall Street Journal reported (1/7), President-elect Joe Biden “has said he plans to make a priority of passing a law against domestic terrorism, and he has been urged to create a White House post overseeing the fight against ideologically inspired violent extremists and increasing funding to combat them.”
Biden made a point of identifying members of the Trump mob as “domestic terrorists” in remarks following last week’s attack, which he condemned as an “all-out assault on our institutions of democracy” led by the incumbent president.
Not long after the mob stormed Capitol Hill, some commentators began calling on Congress to begin work on a specific statute targeting “domestic terrorism”; as ProPublica explained, “while federal statutes provide a definition of domestic terrorism, there is not a specific law outlawing it.”
The call drew swift pushback from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who tweeted (1/9) that “as the vice chair of the Oversight subcommittee who ran investigations into domestic terror laws, I respectfully disagree.”
“Our problems on Wednesday weren’t that there weren’t enough laws, resources, or intelligence,” said the New York Democrat. “We had them, and they were not used. It’s time to find out why.”
Diala Shamas, a staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, echoed that point, telling The Intercept (1/10) that “anyone familiar with the scope of surveillance and targeting of Black political dissents, or Muslim communities, knows that law enforcement has all the tools it needs to aggressively disrupt and hold accountable those who planned and participated in the storming of the Capitol.”
“Why they didn’t raises serious questions, but it was not because their hands were tied,” said Shamas. “We don’t need new terrorism designations.”
From The Progressive Populist, February 1, 2021
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