🧵 On January 6th, 2021, our democracy was on the brink of catastrophe. The American people witnessed a violent attempt to overturn an election that came perilously close to succeeding.
Today, we highlight some of the events that threatened the peaceful transfer of power.
Conversation
Replying to
8:17 AM: Then-President Donald Trump spreads election misinformation and tells Vice President Mike Pence to intervene:
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12:00 PM: Donald Trump gives an hour-long speech where he spreads election misinformation and urges the crowd to “never concede.” He concludes his remarks by telling his supporters to march to the Capitol.
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12:52-1:49 PM: Pipe bombs are found at the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters, immediately adjacent to the Capitol grounds.
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1:00-1:13 PM: Congress meets in a joint session to confirm Joe Biden as the next President of the United States, while the first mob charges on the Capitol.
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1:00 PM: Mike Pence begins the process of counting certified electoral votes from the states.
“My oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.”
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1:30-1:59 PM: The mob at the Capitol grows after Trump finishes Ellipse speech. Capitol Police start to become overwhelmed and are ordered to pull back and request support.
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2:12-2:30 PM: Mob breaks into the Capitol building. Both chambers of Congress adjourn and begin to evacuate.
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2:24-3:13 PM: Trump sends out a series of tweets claiming that Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done” but urging rioters at the Capitol to “stay peaceful.”
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4:17 PM: Trump posts video message telling the violent mob to“go home. We love you, you’re very special.”
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5:20 PM: First National Guard troops arrive at the Capitol. Police start to push back against rioters and secure the Capitol.
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8:06 PM: Capitol building secured. Vice President Pence re-opens the Senate, Speaker Pelosi gavels in the House shortly after.
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3:44 AM on January 7th: Pence concludes the certification of electoral votes after both the House and the Senate declare Joe Biden the president-elect.
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