The Test of the USA Democracy (1/6/21 – 1/20/21)

January 6, 2021 is a date that will not soon be forgotten. What was to be a routine day in a democracy that leans on tradition and constitutional procedure, was anything but routine. President Trump, a man with the popularity of a cult leader but even more influential, made a last-ditch attempt to get people to set tradition aside and grant him a second term. His rally was a culmination of weeks long battels and rhetoric claiming a stolen election. Despite his claims and the desire of many of his loyal followers, no evident was produced to substantiate his claims. Nor did the constitution allow a path for the Vice President to disregard the votes cast and to declare Trump the victor. Regardless of what many may have been thinking and hoping to that point, VP Pence’s stance should have been a clear signal that the rhetoric was indeed not truthful. Sadly, that did not make its way through to the Trump supporters. He suggested to his supporters that Pence had simply become disloyal.

This backdrop is what lead to the storm of the United States Capital that led to an Insurrection. Mob mentality completely took the crowd over until an angry mob had breached the Capital and were out for blood to claim the rightful victory. Chants of “Hang Mike Pence” could be heard in the corridors. The mob would not be backed down until they met their goal. And for an hour or more they indeed had the upper hand. They were able to go into offices of government officials, stroll through chambers and to read documents left behind as congress members scurried to safety. Eventually additional security was added, and pleas were made for the mob to disperse. It was scary to watch and wait for reinforcements. Eventually Trump did speak to the mob. He told them that they should stop the violence, go home, and remember that they were loved. Although the violence did subside and security was able to get the upper hand, the message of love that seemed to side with the insurrectionists did not calm nerves nor temper the divide across the of the country.

Despite all of this, Congress was not deterred. Members when back to their respective chambers and completed the process and debates to certify the votes. The mob violence had a sobering effect on many. Those individuals were snapped out of the rhetoric and seemed to understand just how dangerous it had become. Other individuals seemed completely unfazed by the activity and went about to attempt to change the trajectory of the already cast votes. In the end, democracy held through this procedure and the votes were counted and accepted as they were cast in the November election.

Activities did not end there. As citizens were attempting to understand what took place and how, the House was quick to put an end to the type of behavior that had brought about the insurrection. They wanted Trump to know that there were consequences to his actions. Articles of Impeachment were drafted and were to be presented if the Republican party did not find an alternative way to check their leader. The threat did help to some degree. Trump recorded another message and this time he was less favorable to the mob. He denounced their actions. However, he did not go so far as to say the election was fair. Much debate ensued over the next two weeks. People on both sides of the isle debated what all of this meant for democracy. Threats of violence continued, and many were concerned what that would mean for the Inauguration on January 20, 2021.