The Christian Post's top 10 news stories of 2021 (part 1)
9. Jan. 6 Capitol riot leads to second Trump impeachment
On Jan. 6, while Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 election, President Donald Trump spoke in front of a large gathering of supporters at the Ellipse near the White House, reasserting his claim that election fraud played a role in his defeat to Biden in the 2020 election.
A second and separate rally with speakers was scheduled to be held at the U.S. Capitol in the afternoon. But by the time many walked the long stretch from the Ellipse just south of the White House fence to the U.S. Capitol, rioters had breached the building and placed members of Congress in peril.
The nation watched as the throngs of protestors physically attacked Capitol security, broke windows, threw objects and eventually entered congressional offices and the Senate chamber. While some people were violent, many others were allowed entry into the building by Capitol police and merely walked around inside.
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The riot was condemned by organizers of the "Save America" march, saying it was "instigated by a handful of bad actors."
During the breach, several people were injured. A 35-year-old unarmed Trump supporter named Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot by a police officer when she tried to enter the House chamber, where members of Congress were sheltering. In August, the officer who shot Babbitt was deemed to have "acted lawfully."
Others who died during the Capitol breach included Trump supporters Kevin Greeson of Alabama and Benjamin Phillips of Pennsylvania, who both died of heart conditions during the protests, and Roseanne Boyland, who died of “acute amphetamine intoxication."
Although it was initially believed that Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick had died as a result of injuries sustained in the attack, it was later concluded that he passed away from natural causes.
Following the riot, hundreds of people who had entered the Capitol, including those who were allowed entry by police, were arrested, with multiple prominent figures, such as the “Qanon Shaman,” being sentenced to more than three years in prison.
In January, the House voted to impeach Trump for a historic second time, accusing the outgoing president of having fomented the Capitol Hill attack.
However, the impeachment article failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate as 43 senators, all Republican, voted to acquit Trump.
Despite considerable Republican opposition, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted to create a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 riot. The first meeting was held in July.
Michael Gryboski contributed to this report.
