On the fifth anniversary of the riot at the United States Capitol Building, former Vice President Mike Pence took to social media to share some reflections.
On Jan. 6., 2021, a mob of protesters forcefully entered the United States Capitol Building to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results.
In the months following the 2020 election, President Donald Trump consistently alleged that his loss to Joe Biden was the result of widespread fraud. Despite multiple lawsuits on the part of Trump’s team and months of scrutiny, no evidence was uncovered to support the claim that the election was illegitimate.
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Nevertheless, on the day that the election was to be certified, Trump held a rally and encouraged protesters to “walk down to the Capitol” to “cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.” He added, “And we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them, because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”
Trump urged Pence to “do the right thing” and refuse to fulfill his duty as vice president to certify the results of the election.
Following the rally, a crowd of Trump supporters broke into the Capitol Building, forcing an evacuation. Outside the building, some protesters constructed a gallows and led crowds in chanting, “Hang Mike Pence!”
Many protesters wore attire and carried items containing Christian imagery, and a group of protesters prayed on the floor of the U.S. Senate chamber.
Five people died from injuries sustained during the riot. Numerous more were injured, including 140 police officers. In the months that followed, four police officers who were present at the Capitol on Jan. 6 died by suicide, likely as a result of post-traumatic stress.
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After the crowds were cleared, Congress returned to the building to certify the election results. In April, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation recognized Pence for his courage in certifying the 2020 election.
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