Editorial: U.S. Capitol Building Chaos Shameful
By The Shoemaker Bugle
Violent protests by an angry mob of President Trump supporters took place at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, leading to a suspension of the official count of the 2020 Electoral College votes by the House and the Senate (pictured, above, protestors clash with police–Julio Cortez/AP).
In the ensuing chaos, a woman was shot and killed while at least five others were taken to the hospital, according to NBC News. The Senate recessed its Electoral College debate after the mob forced a lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence and everybody in the Capitol Building was quickly evacuated.
Lawmakers from the House and Senate were meeting in a joint session on Wednesday to certify electors in the final step ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration later this month. They did not get very far, breaking for debate when the third state’s envelope–Arizona–came up for certification and discussion.
During the session, news quickly shifted to a mob of Trump supporters, who broke through police barriers and eventually entered the Capitol building, engaging with riot police as Congress held a joint session to count the Electoral College votes which would clear the path to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration later this month.
The D.C. Chief of Police declared the event a riot, and the National Guard was brought in just before the 6:00pm EST curfew to clear the area and secure the Capitol Building. After a delay of several hours, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi planned a return to the Capitol to continue certifying the election results. They assembled again at 8:08pm EST with an opening statement by Vice President Pence, who boldly declared, “We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms… Violence never wins. Freedom wins… Let’s get back to work.”
“We will not be intimidated. We not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats… We will certify the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election. Criminal behavior will never dominate the United States Congress. The American people deserve nothing less.”
Senator Mitch McConnell, in his opening statement after Congress finally re-convened
Senator Charles Schumer (who is soon to be the Majority Leader in the Senate) closed his remarks by adding, “Democracy will triumph as it has for centuries.”
World leaders also reacted in shock to today’s events. America, a beacon of hope and a shining example of democracy around the world, has stunned our allies with today’s actions. In a historic week that also saw Georgia elect two new Democratic Senators, violence and chaos stole the headlines.
The Shoemaker Bugle condemns the violence, chaos, and unprecedented interruption to America’s democratic process. We feel that today’s events are shameful and shocking, and this will be seen as an embarrassing day in American history.
•Striking photographs illustrate the extent of the chaos and violence (photos courtesy Getty Images, unless otherwise indicated):
At center, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) takes cover 
The moment that protestors attempted to break in, confronted by Capitol Building police with guns drawn. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) 
Trump supporters stand inside the U.S. Capitol 
Protestors make themselves at home in the Capitol
Never before in the United States of America has a Confederate flag appeared in the halls of the U.S. Capitol Building… until Wednesday.
In a video that was later removed from YouTube and Twitter, President Trump addressed a mob of his supporters in a new video, calling for ‘peace’ and telling them to ‘go home’ but continued to tout the false narrative that the election was ‘stolen.’ The video is unable to be shared as it has been deleted. Shortly after 7:00pm EST, it was announced that the President’s Twitter account has been locked for at least 12 hours.
note: This editorial represents the sole opinions of the Shoemaker Bugle student staff & editors
The Shoemaker Bugle 
A chill ran down my spine when I read “Never before in the United States of America has a Confederate Flag appeared in the halls of the US Capitol Building…until Wednesday. This article was amazing.
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