The Storming of

The US Capitol

 
 
 
 

Vocabulary

Capitol	session	investigate
pro (2)	footage	bystander
mob	inch (2)	capture (2)
hope	election	capital (3)
ensue	election	lawmaker
rally	electoral	win/won/won
chest	take back	hold/held/held (2)
armed	proceed	give/gave/given
aye	boldness	additional
gather	protest	give a speech
barrier	announce	break/broke/broken (3)
smash	evacuate	tell/told/told
certify	floor (3)	break down
seat	standoff	hide/hid/hidden
vote	enforce	law enforcement
riot	clear (2)	inauguration
push	dispatch	encourage
curfew	involve	suspicious
pull	count (3)	critical condition
remain	leave (2)	shoot/shot/shot (2)
pend	follower	border (2)
wound	surround	circumstance
chaos	press (2)	gain entry
dissent	disorder	National Guard
chaos	reach out	speak/spoke/spoken
pave	sedition	insurrection
breach	show (2)	critical (2)
shout	assistance	pave the way

 
 
 
 
 

Video: Storming of the US Capitol

 
 
 
 

Transcript

On January 6th, the US Capitol was breached by a pro-Trump mob, hoping to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

Hours of chaos ensued.

By the end of the day, four people were dead.

Videos captured by journalists and bystanders show how it happened.

Around 1:00 pm, Congress is in session at the US Capitol, and lawmakers had began the process of certifying president-elect Joe Biden’s electoral-college win.

Mike Pence, Vice-President of the United States: “The president and vice-president of the United States.”

About two miles (3.2 kilometers) away, US President Donald Trump is on stage, holding a rally outside the White House, after encouraging his followers to be in Washington, D.C. on January 6th.

Donald Trump, US President: “We are going to try to give our Republicans the kind of pride and boldness they need to take back our country.”

 

But it shows Trump supporters gathering outside the Capitol building to protest the election results.

At 1:30 pm, the Cannon House building and the James Madison Memorial Building are evacuated due to reports of a suspicious package.

Meanwhile, videos show rioters breaking down barriers outside the US Capitol.

On the Senate Floor, footage shows Senator James Langford giving a speech when the senators are told the mob is inside the Capitol.

Secret Service Agent: “Protesters are in the building.”
Senator James Langford: “Thank you.”

At 2:30 pm, Mike Pence is evacuated from the Senate.

There is an armed standoff outside the House Floor, and members of Congress hide under their seats.

Around the same time, Capitol Police ask for additional law enforcement assistance.

As videos show, rioters smashing windows in the Capitol and pushing past police to enter the building.

They roam Statuary Hall . . .

Rioter: “I’ve never been in this hall. How about you?”

Gain access to the Senate Floor. And some even gain entry into House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi’s office.

At 2:48 pm, the mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser, announces a citywide curfew starting at 6:00 pm.

At 3:13 pm, Trump tweets, asking rioters to remain peaceful.

Less than ten minutes later, a woman is reported to be in critical condition after being shot in the chest on Capitol grounds. She later died of her wounds.

The officer involved in this incident is on leave, pending an investigation. And CNN has reached out for comment. The circumstances surrounding the video we are showed still unclear.

 

Several hours after rioters breached the Capitol, President Trump’s press secretary, Keyleigh McEnany tweets that Trump has dispatched the National Guard to DC.

As police clear the Capitol building, President-elect Joe Biden speaks from Delaware.

Joe Biden, US President-elect: “This is not dissent; this is disorder. It’s chaos. It borders on sedition.

And it must end. NOW!”

Minutes after Biden’s speech, Trump tweets in a video telling the rioters to go home.

Donald Trump, US President: “But you have to go home now. We have to have peace.”

As the 6:00 pm curfew inches closer, rioters are pushed out of the area.

Law Enforcement Officer: “We have been shouting, ‘move back’.”

At 6:27 pm, congressional leaders announced they will proceed with counting.

Senate Official: “Mr. Cruz.”
Ted Cruz, US Senator: “Aye.”
Senate Official: “Mr. Daines.”
Steve Daines, US Senator: “No.”

Just before 4:00 am, on January 7, almost fifteen (15) hours after proceedings first began, Congress certifies the election.

Mike Pence, US Vice-President: “Joseph R. Biden J. of the State of Delaware has received 306 votes. Donald J. Trump of the State of Florida received 232 votes.”

Paving the way for Biden’s inauguration on January 20th.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 

Questions

1. A mob stormed the US Capitol (Congressional building) because they wanted more coronavirus cash assistance. True or false?

2. Were there a few or many protesters and rioters? How would you characterize them?

3. What was happening in the US Senate floor? Were they fully aware of what was going on outside?

4. President Trump was communicating with his supporters solely on Twitter. Is this right or wrong?

5. Were the protesters free to enter the Capitol? Was the Capitol open to the public on that day?

6. The congressional lawmakers remained inside chamber and seated throughout the day. Is this correct or incorrect?

7. What did the intruders do inside the Capitol?

8. Were President-elect Joe Biden and President Donald Trump supportive of the mob? What did he say?

9. Did the US Senators immediately returned home?

 
 
A. I was shocked by the events that unfolded in the United States. Yes, no, in the middle?

B. Why may have the rioters stormed the US Congress?

C. What has been the reaction of your friends, and governments around the world?

D. Was the mob justified in their actions?

E. Has something similar to this happened in your country or neighboring countries?

F. What might happen in the future?