Democracy Dies in Darkness

World stunned by subversion of U.S. democracy after pro-Trump throng breaches Capitol

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January 6, 2021 at 6:18 p.m. EST
The U.S. Capitol Police on Jan.6 were unable to hold back the mob outside the building, some of whom pushed their way inside. (Video: The Washington Post)

The world watched with dismay as a surreal scene at the U.S. Capitol, like little else seen in its history, unfolded on Wednesday.

Rioters loyal to President Trump burst through police barricades and mobbed the building, disrupting at the 11th hour a vote to formalize Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Shortly before the breach, Vice President Pence had announced that he would not reject the election results, as Trump had urged.