Throughout the years, coups have been seen. In times of revolution and rebellion, or as a move towards freedom from oppressive regimes. However, no one could have imagined such a thing to take place in Twenty First century America, the beacon of liberal democracy.

This is not the American way. Peaceful transfer of power has characterised American democracy for generations. This does not belong in a nation founded on principals of democracy and liberty, it is a symptom of political polarisation and political extremism. 

The violent minority of the Black Lives Matter riots were a disgrace, both undermining the BLM movement, as well as taking advantage of a situation to cause civil disobedience and anarchy. This was an example of a small group of individuals (in proportion to those supporting the movement) acting out of line, and in a way that damages the very same cause they claim to be in support of. The same has happened here. 

A large group of Trump supporters, on Wednesday the 6th of January protested on Capitol hill. As we are seeing now, they have stormed the building. At the time of writing one woman has been shot and killed. More, we assume have been injured. Their cause is a simple one. To forcefully stop and protest against a transition of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. Fuelled by the idea that the so called “landslide victory election” was “stolen” from them through voter fraud (something that is claimed by the Trump Team without any evidence…). No more than a few hours before protesters turned to rioters Donald Trump thanked them on twitter for their support. In this video he did instruct them to stay peaceful and “protect our [American] men in blue”. However, many would feel that the weeks of never-ending statements, videos and tweets since the election concerning alleged voter fraud, had already cemented the hatred and anger that would fuel the events that followed. Proclaiming ‘I love you’ to the protestors – there is no question why Twitter have banned Trump for the next 12 hours.

It is a sorry day for America, democracy, and the world. A day in which the unthinkable, has been witnessed. Trump’s legacy, further damaged, and the results of his recent rhetoric seen by the world on the largest stage. Violent protest and rioting is never the answer. It was not acceptable last summer, and it is not acceptable now. Those involved should be met by the full force of the law, and condemned by the very same people they claim to support. 

Questions remain, is Mr Trump fully to blame? Has the meagre police response only vindicated the red flags of racial bias that characterised 2020? Will Biden preside over the dialogue in the coming days? We shall update further, after the situation has been dealt with, and the impacts of which can be seen.