January 6 United States Capitol attack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids January 6 United States Capitol attack |
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| Part of the 2020–21 United States election protests and attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election | |
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Top to bottom, left to right: crowds gathered outside of the Capitol; Donald Trump speaking to supporters at the "Save America" rally; tear gas being deployed against protesters outside the Capitol Building
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| Date | January 6, 2021 |
| Location |
United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., United States
38°53′23.3″N 77°00′32.6″W / 38.889806°N 77.009056°W |
| Caused by |
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| Goals |
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| Methods | Rioting, vandalism, looting, assault, shootings, arson, and attempted bombings |
| Resulted in | Attempts to overturn election results in favor of Trump failed
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| Casualties and arrests | |
| Death(s) | 5 dead
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| Injuries |
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| Arrested |
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On the afternoon of Wednesday, January 6, 2021, thousands of supporters of then-U.S President Donald Trump were in Washington, D.C. to protest against the results of the 2020 presidential election. They went in to support Trump's demand for Vice President Mike Pence and Congress to reject President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The protests soon became riots as thousands of Trump supporters broke into the United States Capitol, damaging the building.
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Rally
First, protesters came to the Ellipse for a planned rally. There, Rudy Giuliani called for "trial by combat," then later, Donald Trump told his supporters to march to the United States Capitol "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard today."
Storming of the Capitol
The Trump supporters broke into the Capitol. Congress was in session at the time. All congressmen, lobbyists, news reporters, visitors and Vice President Mike Pence were evacuated to a secure location.
The attack on the Capitol has been referred to as domestic terrorism.
During the attack, several rioters carried Confederate battle flags or Nazi symbols. For the first time in U.S. history, a Confederate battle flag was flying inside the U.S. Capitol building.
Aftermath
Trump responded to the storming by writing messages on Twitter. In a video, he told protesters: "This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace." In another message, he wrote: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long." He continued: "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"
5 people died during or shortly after the event: four rioters and one police officer. Fifteen police officers were sent to the hospital, and more than 50 were injured.
Reactions
Trump was impeached for a second time because of this attack. Some people even wanted Vice President Pence to use the twenty-fifth amendment to remove Trump from office.
The House of Representatives formed a committee, the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, to investigate the attack and recommend changes that would prevent such an event from happening in the future.
Prison sentences for protesters
More than 750 people were charged with crimes because of the Capitol attack. More than 200 of these people pleaded guilty, meaning that they agreed not to have trials in exchange for smaller punishments.
Prison sentences have been as long as 22 years (in prison).
Sentences since 2023:
- 18 years in prison; Stewart Rhodes is one of the founders of Oath Keepers.
- 17 years in prison; Joe Biggs was a leader of the Proud Boys [a group of activists].
- 22 years in prison; Enrique Tarrio was a leader of the Proud Boys.
Related pages
- 2023 invasion of the Brazilian Congress (inspired by the Capitol attack)
See also
