AFTER (January)

January 2021

I am grateful, with all your input, to have continued this project through inauguration. Since I started tracking Donald Trump in November 2016, I have posited that he cared about two things: making money and staying in power; admittedly, events in this final list caught even me by surprise.

The pace of broken norms had slowed considerably in our AFTER lists for November and December. My biggest concern over those two months was Michigan, and the potential for Republicans in that state to overturn the results in a county with majority Black voters — and therefore the implications for the future our democracy. It was close — too close — but in the end we passed the safe harbor deadline for every state, and I falsely assumed we would cruise through inauguration.

As I complete this project on January 20 at noon, with Joe Biden assuming the presidency, along with our first Black and South Asian woman vice president, Kamala Harris, we are still learning of Trump’s schemes to overturn the election. The reporting will undoubtedly continue for months and years, as the truth finds its way to open light. History will record how close we came to teetering on the brink of becoming an authoritarian state.

Trump propagated, starting months before the election, what historian Timothy Snyder described as the “big lie,” that our election was rigged and stolen, and he had actually won. Trump was aided and enabled throughout his time in office, but also in the big lie, by Republican lawmakers too cowardly and cloaked in self-interest to uphold their oath, and a far-right media ecosystem willing to spin his lies for ratings. As we finish this project, three-quarters of Republicans believe the big lie, and have “little or no confidence” that the election results reflected the will of the people. This legacy of Trump’s disinformation will be with us for years as we try to trace our way back to the truth.

January was a shocking month. We learned that Trump had pressured and threatened state officials in Georgia to overturn election results. Days later, Trump supporters, emboldened into rioters by his big lie, stormed our nation’s Capitol. It was the first time our Capitol was under siege since the War of 1812, and the first time ever by American citizens. What ensued was a near massacre of our members of Congress and Vice President, which Trump joyfully watched unfold on television from the White House, refusing to call off the mob he had unleashed or call in troops to help over hours. Documentarian Ken Burns noted, “Our founders feared two things above all else, the mob and an autocrat,” and here we were.

Our system of government held up, but barely, and as this project comes to an end, it is still doubtful that Senate Republicans — themselves mere minutes away from slaughter — will finally hold Trump accountable for the insurrection and sedition at the upcoming impeachment trial. Over four years of the endless stream of broken norms, their enabling Trump has not only desecrated our democracy, but also exposed the cracks in its armor for future wannabe autocrats.

As we leave this project, Biden is inheriting three major crises — a surging pandemic, a struggling economy, and the threat of white supremacist violence. And on top of these crises, a battle for the truth. The steps we take in the coming years to restore the truth — there can only be one — will determine our ability to not only find common ground, but also to continue the American experiment with democracy and forming a more equitable union.

Jan. 1: The Senate voted 81–13, joining the House in overriding Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act — overriding Trump for the first time in his term.
Jan. 1: WAPO reported in recent weeks extremist groups like the Proud Boys have been recruiting disenfranchised Trump supporters, and using encrypted chat apps and online message boards to encourage followers to attend the Jan. 6th protest.
Neo-nazi groups said they needed “boots on the ground” on Jan. 6 to intimidate lawmakers and push a nationalist agenda, and gave strategies for smuggling firearms into D.C. Several commenters suggested a civil war.
Jan. 1: The leader of the Proud Boys teased on Parler we “will turn out in record numbers on Jan 6th,” and added, “We will be incognito and we will spread across downtown DC in smaller teams.”
Jan. 1: Trump encouraged supporters tweeting, “The BIG Protest Rally in Washington, D.C., will take place at 11.00 A.M. on January 6th. Locational details to follow. StopTheSteal!” and “January 6th. See you in D.C.”
Jan. 1: Days ahead of the Georgia runoff, Trump tweeted, “the Georgia Consent Decree is Unconstitutional,” declaring the 2020 presidential election and runoff to be “illegal and invalid.” Twitter labeled the tweets.
Jan. 1: Pro-Trump attorney L. Lin Woods, who had been in contact with Trump, wrote a series of tweets saying Vice President Mike Pence should be arrested and executed. He later defended his sanity, saying he is “fine.”
Jan. 1: A federal judge dismissed Rep. Louie Gohmert’s lawsuit to endow Pence with the authority to overthrow the election, citing “neither Congressman Gohmert nor the nominee-electors have standing.”
Shortly after, Gohmert falsely claimed on Nexsmax that the decision would “mean the end of our republic” and encouraged violence, telling viewers, “you gotta go the streets and be as violent as Antifa and BLM.”
Jan. 2: A federal appeals court tossed out Gohmert’s appeal, dismissing it summarily in a one-paragraph opinion in an unsigned decision.
Jan. 2: A group of 11 Republican Senators led by Sen. Ted Cruz joined Sen. Josh Hawley, calling for an “emergency 10-day audit” to investigate Trump’s baseless claims. Ironically, four of the 11 were newly elected.
The group called for “A fair and credible audit,” saying it “would dramatically improve Americans’ faith in our electoral process,” and “We are acting not to thwart the democratic process, but rather to protect it.”
Trump tweeted his support, saying, “And after they see the facts, plenty more to come…Our Country will love them for it! #StopTheSteal.”
Pence said in a statement that he “shares the concerns of millions of Americans about voter fraud and irregularities in the last election” and “welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate.”
Republican Senators spoke out against Hawley and Cruz, including Ben Sasse, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, and Patrick Toomey, who said they were “directly” undermining the “right of the people to elect their own leaders.”
The Biden campaign said in a statement: “These baseless claims have already been examined and dismissed by Trump’s own attorney general, dozens of courts and election officials from both parties.”
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tweeted, “We’re now at well over 100 House members and a dozen Senators ready to stand up for election integrity and object to certification. It’s time to fight back.”
Jan. 3: Cruz told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo “everyone needs to calm down,” adding, “I’ve had multiple Democrats urging that I should be arrested and tried for the crimes of sedition and treason.”
Jan. 3: Sen. Ron Johnson said on “Meet the Press” that “We have an unsustainable state of affairs in this country where we have tens of millions who do not view this election result as legitimate.”
Host Chuck Todd told Johnson, “You made an allegation of widespread fraud, you’ve failed to offer specific evidence of that widespread fraud,” adding, “You’re the arsonist here…you’re started this fire.”
Jan. 3: GOP Rep. Chip Roy, a conservative not backing Trump’s attempt to overthrow the election, challenged seating of House members from the six states where Trump and his allies have raised allegations of voter fraud.
Jan. 3: As the U.S. surpassed 350,000 deaths from the coronavirus, Trump tweeted, “the number of cases and deaths of the China Virus is far exaggerated,” adding, “When in doubt, call it Covid. Fake News!”
Shortly after, Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed back, telling “Meet the Press” that “the numbers are real,” adding, all you need to do “is to go into the trenches, go into the hospitals, go into the intensive care units.”
Jan. 3: Former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan came out of retirement, saying, “voters determine the president” and “efforts to reject the votes of the Electoral College and sow doubt…strike at the foundation of our republic.”
Jan. 3: Sen. Tom Cotton, one of Trump’s staunchest allies, said he would not support Trump’s effort to overturn the election. Trump attacked Cotton, tweeting the voters will “NEVER FORGET!””
Jan. 3: In an op-ed, the 10 living former defense secretaries from both parties, including James Mattis and Mark Esper, wrote, “involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory.”
They wrote, “American elections and the peaceful transfers of power that result are hallmarks of our democracy,” calling on acting defense secretary Christopher Miller and his subordinates “to facilitate the entry into office of the incoming administration.”
William Cohen told CNN that all ten “came to the same conclusion” that “we are in danger, that we have a commander-in-chief who is not above trying to use the military in order to achieve a political objective.”
Jan. 3: Rep. Liz Cheney, the number 3 House Republican, said in a 21-page memo to colleagues there is “no appropriate basis” for Congress to object on Jan. 6, calling it an “exceptionally dangerous precedent.”
Jan. 3: In a storm of tweets, Trump said, “I spoke to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions…He has no clue!”
Raffensperger responded, quoting Trump’s tweet and adding, “Respectfully, President Trump: What you’re saying is not true. The truth will come out.”
Shortly after, WAPO reported it had a tape of their hour-long conversation on Jan. 2, in which Trump pressured Raffensperger to overturn the election by recalculating the vote, saying, “I just want to find 11,780 votes.”
Trump begged, flattered and then threatened, telling Raffensperger, “The people of Georgia are angry, the people of the country are angry.” Meadows and prominent GOP lawyer Cleta Mitchell were also on the call.
Trump floated baseless conspiracies from social media, saying, “There’s no way I lost Georgia…we won by hundreds of thousands of votes,” adding, “I only need 11,000 votes. Fellas, I need 11,000 votes. Give me a break.”
Trump threatened Raffensperger and Ryan Germany, the secretary of state’s general counsel, if they failed to act, saying, “That’s a criminal offense….you can’t let that happen. That’s a big risk to you and to Ryan.”
Trump also threatened the runoff, saying, “You have a big election coming up, and because of what you’ve done to the president — you know, the people of Georgia know that this was a scam.”
Jan. 3: David Worley, the sole Democrat on Georgia’s state election board, called on Raffensperger to investigate for possible criminal and civil violations, saying, “It’s a crime to solicit election fraud.”
Raffensperger also said it was unlikely his office would open an investigation, but added, “I understand that the Fulton County District Attorney wants to look at it.”
Fulton County DA Fani Willis, a Democrat, said in a statement that Trump’s call was “disturbing,” and “I will enforce the law without fear or favor,” and anyone who commits a felony will be held accountable.
Jan. 4: CNN reported that there were 18 attempted calls from the White House to Raffensperger’s office between the election and Saturday’s phone call. Raffensperger said this was his first call with Trump.
Several White House officials in an already thinned-down staff were unaware of Trump’s call with Raffensperger until Trump tweeted about it, including White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
Jan. 4: At a runoff rally in Georgia, Pence backed Trump, saying, “We’ve all got our doubts about the last election,” and “I share the concerns of millions,” adding Americans will “hear the evidence” about election fraud.
Jan. 4: Georgia top election official, Gabriel Sterling, held a news conference where he again addressed point-by-point the various lies and conspiracy theories being floated by Trump about the state’s election.
Jan. 4: U.S. Attorney for the North District of Georgia Byung Pak, a Trump appointee, abruptly resigned his position. No explanation was given for his early departure.
Jan. 4: NYT reported Trump’s Sunday call has shaken many European allies, who are worried about the health of America’s democracy — that it is compromised and cannot be trusted or relied upon.
Jan. 4: Asked on Fox News whether he believed Trump would be president on Jan. 20, Sen. Hawley said “that depends on what happens on Wednesday.” Anchor Bret Baier responded, “No, it doesn’t.”
Jan. 4: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested a limited National Guard deployment to help bolster the Metropolitan Police Department, as the city braced for violence at pro-Trump protests on Jan. 6.
Jan. 4: Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, was arrested by MPD as he arrived in D.C. on charges of destroying property for burning a Black Lives Matter banner torn from a historic Black church last month.
Authorities described the burning as a potential hate crime.When he was arrested, Tarrio was also charged with two felony counts when police found two high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
Jan. 4: Trump awarded ally Rep. Devin Nunes a Medal of Freedom, lying that he helped to “unearth the crime of the century” and “thwart a plot to take down a sitting United States president.” No media was invited.
Jan. 4: In a letter, the CEOs of nearly 200 companies called on lawmakers to uphold “essential tenets of our democracy” by enabling a smooth transition of power to Biden.
Jan. 4: Trump attacked Republicans not backing his effort to overturn the election, tweeting that they were “The “Surrender Caucus,”” and saying they will “go down in infamy as weak and ineffective “guardians.””
Jan. 4: WAPO reported Trump is sabotaging the GOP on his way out of office, obsessed with overturning the election, and turning on any Republican who refuse to go along with efforts to stay in power.
Trump recruited a primary challenger for Sen. John Thune and called on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to resign. Aides say he truly believes he “won big,” repeating lies — yet no one dares to disabuse him and incur his ire.
At a rally in Georgia the night before the runoff, Trump went off script, instead airing his grievances and pressuring Republicans. He opened with: “There’s no way we lost Georgia. That was a rigged election.”
He lied that he won “in a landslide,” and said, “I hope Mike Pence comes through for us” in overturning the election, adding, “Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him so much.”
Trump also bashed Kemp and Raffensperger, and promised to campaign against them. And going off script about the two candidates he was there to campaign for, said, “I don’t do rallies for other people. I do them for me.”
Jan. 5: Trump again pressured Pence to reject the Electoral College votes, tweeting, “the Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors.” This is not true — Pence’s job is simply to count the votes.
NYT reported shortly after, at a lunch, Pence told Trump he did not have the power to change the election results, but indicated he would continue to study the issue up until Congress begins at 1 p.m. on Jan. 6.
Jan. 5: WAPO reported far-right online forums like Parler and Telegram were seething with references to potential violence, and called on Trump supporters to bring guns to Jan. 6 protests — a violation of local laws.
Jan. 5: Romney was heckled by Trump supporters at the Salt Lake City airport and on the airplane ride to D.C., yelling, “Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!” and “Resign, Mitt!”
Jan. 5: Trump replaced U.S. Attorney Pak in Atlanta with Bobby Christine, bypassing the top career prosecutor who would normally be next in line.
Jan. 5: Pennsylvania GOP state senators refused to seat a Democratic member who had won reelection, and then removed Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who objected, from presiding over the session.
Jan. 5: Cleta Mitchell, who was on Trump’s Sunday call, resigned from Foley & Lardner, after an uproar that she had violated the firm’s policy that its lawyers should not represent clients involved in relitigating the election.
Jan. 5: The city of Detroit filed a request for sanctions and possible disbarment for Sidney Powell and other pro-Trump lawyers involved in the infamous “Kraken” election fraud lawsuit.
Jan. 5: Trump announced he would address the D.C. rally for overturning the election, tweeting, “I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA RALLY tomorrow…Arrive early — doors open at 7AM Eastern. BIG CROWDS!”
Jan. 5: Trump signed a nebulous executive order attempting to create a travel ban on members of antifa, asking Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “assess actions of Antifa activists,” and stop its members from entering the U.S.
Jan. 5: Late in the evening, in an inaccurately dated Jan. 5, 2020 statement, Trump said reporting on Pence was “fake news,” adding he and Pence are in “total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act.”
Jan. 5: As votes came in for Georgia’s runoff, with the GOP candidates losing, Trump tweeted, “Looks like they are setting up a big “voter dump” against the Republican candidates.” Twitter labeled the tweet.
The Democrats won both seats, delivering control of the Senate to Democrats. GOP strategists and some Georgia officials blamed Trump for obsessing over his political future, and attacking Georgia officials.
Jan. 5: House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy told Fox News, “Trump won this election, so everyone who’s listening, do not be quiet. We cannot allow this to happen before our very eyes… join together and let’s stop this.”
Jan. 6: Pence refused Trump’s request, citing in a letter “my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority” to decide which electoral votes should be counted.
Pence added, “vesting the Vice President with unilateral authority to decide presidential contests would be entirely antithetical” to democracy, and “The Presidency belongs to the American people, and to them alone.”
NYT reported shortly before leaving for the “Save America March,” Trump met with Pence. He stewed and chastised Pence, blamed Pence’s chief of staff Mark Short, and told staffers that Short was “not welcome” there.
Rudy Giuliani spoke prior to Trump, telling supporters of voter fraud, “if we’re wrong, we will be made fools of, but if we’re right a lot of them will go to jail,” then encouraging them, “Let’s have trial by combat.”
Donald Jr. threatened Republican lawmakers, saying, “These guys better fight for Trump. Because if they’re not, guess what? I’m going to be in your backyard in a couple of months!” and “We’re coming for you.”
Trump spoke to thousands of supporters at the Ellipse for 70-minutes, repeating the lies that the election was stolen from him, and that if Pence did not come through for him it “will be a sad day for our country.”
Trump called the election an “egregious assault on our democracy,” and told his supporters to “walk down to the Capitol,” and claimed he might march with them.
Trump said we will be cheering for our “brave senators and congressmen and women,” adding, “we are probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them — because you will never take back our country with weakness.”
Shortly after, Trump supporters, some armed and many carrying Trump or white supremacist flags, marched to the U.S. Capitol and swarmed it. Trump watched events play out on television back at the White House.
As Trump supporters approached the Capitol, a joint session of Congress to tally the Electoral College results got underway. When the state of Arizona was called, Republicans in both chambers objected on baseless grounds.
As Congress started at 1 p.m., the first wave of Trump supporters stormed outer barricades. Trump finished his speech at 1:10 p.m., saying, “We’re going to try and give them [Republicans] the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country.”
McConnell called the unprecedented challenge his most important vote in his 36 years, saying, “The voters, the courts and the states have all spoken. If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever.”
Trump finished his speech, and by 1:30 p.m., thousands of his supporters started marching to the Capitol as McConnell was speaking.
As the debate over the Arizona challenge was happening in their separate chamber, both chambers were forced into an emergency recess while the building was locked down.
NYT reported while the siege of the Capitol unfolded, Trump continued to disparage Pence, and told people he was glad Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue lost, saying they had not done enough to defend him.
At 2:15, the insurrectionists breached the Capitol: breaking police barricades, scaling walls, and smashing windows to enter the Capitol and freely roamed the hallways, with some carrying Confederate flags.
Insurrectionists were able to approach the doors to the chambers, as lawmakers and staffers were moved to locked bunkers, while Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were moved to an undisclosed location.
Videos also showed the mob outside the Capitol chanting, “Hang Mike Pence!” Trump did not call to check on whether Pence was safe. Allies said they had never seen Pence so angry.
At 2:24 p.m , Trump tweeted, “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution,” and added, “USA demands the truth!”
The riot lasted for several hours. Insurrectionists vandalized the offices of congressional leaders, and assaulted police and other public servants. They trampled the platform set to be used for Biden’s inauguration.
Rioters made it into the Senate chamber and sat in Pence’s seat, another stole Pelosi’s lectern. Others were seen with zip ties that could be used as handcuffs. A gallows with a noose was erected outside the Capitol.
At 3:13, Trump tweeted, “I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order — respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
In a speech, Biden called the incident an “insurrection,” and “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: The doing of the people’s business,” adding, “It borders on sedition. And it must end. Now.”
Historians noted the last time the Capitol had been attacked was by British force in 1814. There is no precedent for an attack by U.S. citizens over an election outcome. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin called it “terrifying.”
WAPO reported as the mob swarmed the Capitol, no one stopped them. Some Capitol police officer were captured on video standing back as rioters streamed inside. Officers were in street uniforms, not riot gear.
One officer was seen taking a selfie with an insurrectionist, another seen opening a security fence, and one helping a woman down the stairs of the Capitol as she was leaving hours later. Police did not detain the rioters.
NYT reported that Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said all 1,100 members of the D.C. National Guard were mobilized on Wednesday afternoon. The deployment was approved by Pence, not Trump.
Trump initially resisted and rebuffed requests to mobilize the National Guard. He was swayed by Cipollone and other officials. It was unclear why Pence, not Trump approved the deployment.
CNN reported some aides were visibly shaken by Trump’s response to the attack. Trump was said to be borderline enthusiastic over the mobs, and aides needed to push him to make a statement to calm the situation.
During the insurrection, Trump and Giuliani mistakenly called Sen. Mike Lee, meaning to call Sen. Tommy Tuberville to tell him to slow the count. The call with Tuberville was cut short when senators moved to a secure location.
At 4:17 pm., Trump tweeted a video telling his supporters to “go home,” saying, “We have to have peace. We have to have law and order,” and despite violence praised them, saying, “We love you. You’re very special.”
At 6:01 p.m., Trump tweeted, “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”
Hours later, the insurrectionists slowly sauntered away saying, “We stopped the vote,” — almost none were arrested. D.C. Mayor Bowser imposed a 6 p.m. curfew. Of 52 arrests that day, 47 were curfew-related.
Jan. 6: Explosive devices were also found at the nearby headquarters of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. The buildings were evacuated.
Jan. 6: The CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers called on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, citing “chaos” and “mob rule,” and calling it “dangerous” and “sedition.”
Jan. 6: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “shocking” event “incited” by Trump. The E.U.’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, “This is not America.” U.K. PM Boris Johnson called it “disgraceful.”
While allies like France and Germany also issued statements condemning the riots, China and Russia rejoiced in the unrest, with a Russian official saying the U.S. “lost the right to impose a course on other countries.”
Jan. 6: Twitter suspended Trump’s account and locked his account for 12 hours and hid three tweets, including his recent video. Facebook and YouTube also removed the video from Trump accounts.
Jan. 6: Trump supporters, militia members, and Proud Boys also swarmed statehouses across the country, including in Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Georgia, and California. Some Capitols were evacuated for safety reason.
Jan. 6: A Black woman walking home in Los Angeles was attacked by a pro-Trump mob who were holding a rally. They pushed her, smacked her, and snatched her wig. The attack was investigated as a hate crime.
Jan. 6: ABC News reported there were discussions among some members of Trump’s Cabinet and his allies over invoking the 25th Amendment. It was unclear how extensive the talks were, or if Pence was supportive.
John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, told CNN that if he were still in the Cabinet, he would vote to invoke the 25th Amendment.
Jan. 6: Multiple White House aides resigned that evening, including Stephanie Grisham, chief of staff for First Lady Melania, deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, and White House social secretary Rickie Niceta.
Former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney resigned, saying, “I can’t stay here,” and claiming without evidence that Trump is “not the same as he was eight months ago.” Deputy NSA Matthew Pottinger also resigned.
Jan. 6: Former Defense Sec. Mattis said the attack was “an effort to subjugate American democracy by mob rule,” and “was fomented by Mr. Trump,” adding Trump “will deservedly be left a man without a country.”
Jan. 6: NYT Editorial Board wrote, “Trump is to blame for the Capitol attack,” adding this was not just an attack on the results, but “is a precedent — a permission slip for similar opposition.”
Jan. 6: The Kansas City Star Editorial Board wrote, “Sen. Josh Hawley has blood on his hands in Capitol coup attempt,” also noting he put out a fundraising appeal while the Capitol was under siege.
Jan. 6: Journalists noted the stark difference in how the white rioters were treated, versus lines of National Guard troops at the Black Lives Matter protests in D.C. and Park Police tear-gassing protestors at Lafayette Square.
Jan. 6: WAPO reported several journalists were attacked by the crowd, which carved “MURDER THE MEDIA” on a Capitol door: one journalist was misidentified as antifa and dragged down a flight of stairs.
Erin Schaff, an NYT photographer who was pushed to the ground and had her camera taken said, “I started screaming for help as loudly as I could…No one came. People just watched. At this point, I thought I could be killed.”
Jan. 6: Several Fox News personalities falsely blamed antifa, or the “leftist extremists,” for the violence, or invoked George Soros. There was no evidence that anyone other than Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Washington Times removed a story that falsely claimed a facial recognition firm said antifa infiltrated the crowd, after the firm called it a lie and asked for an apology. Rep. Matt Gaetz cited the story on Fox News.
At 8 p.m., Congress resumed the count, under protection of law enforcement officers, some in tactical gear and carrying automatic weapons. Some Republicans ended their challenge, but most did not.
Romney was applauded for saying lawmakers should tell voters the truth: “We gather due to a selfish man’s injured pride and the outrage of supporters who he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months and stirred to action.”
Arizona’s votes were certified with six GOP Senators and 121 House members objecting, and Pennsylvania with 7 GOP Senators and 138 House members objecting. In total, 147 Republicans voted to overturn election results.
During the Pennsylvania debate, a fight nearly broke out in the House, after Rep. Conor Lamb said, “That attack today, it didn’t materialize out of nowhere. It was inspired by lies.” Results were certified at 3:41 a.m.
Jan. 7: Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for Trump to be removed via the 25th Amendment. Pelosi said if Pence does not act, “Congress may be prepared to move forward with impeachment.”
Jan. 7: At her weekly press conference, Pelosi called Trump “a complete tool of Putin,” saying, “Putin’s goal was to diminish the view of democracy in the world,” adding his enabler “has been Donald Trump for a long time.”
Jan. 7: Two of Trump’s Cabinet members resigned: Elaine Chao said she was “deeply troubled” by the “entirely avoidable” events at the Capitol, and Betsy DeVos called the events “unconscionable for our country.”
Jan. 7: Biden called the events “one of the darkest days in the history of our nation” and an “unprecedented assault on our democracy,” adding, “Don’t dare call them protesters. They were a riotous mob. Insurrectionists. Domestic terrorists.”
Jan. 7: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg banned Trump for the rest of his time in office from Facebook and Instagram, saying he used the platform to encourage mob violence on the U.S. Capitol.
Jan. 7: Shopify took down Trump Organization and Trump campaign merchandise from their website, noting his comments on Wednesday violated the e-commerce platform’s policy by promoting violence.
Jan. 7: NYT reported Trump has told aides he wants to pardon himself in the final days of his presidency, an unprecedented move, as he has become increasingly convinced that his perceived enemies will target him.
Jan. 7: U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin announced Trump was not off-limits for his investigation of the insurrection, saying “all actors” would be examined to determine if they broke the law.
Sherwin also noted there were national security risks associated with the event, including rioters seeing confidential emails and documents on lawmakers’ desks, as well as stolen property.
Jan. 7: Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund resigned effective Jan. 16. At Pelosi’s request, House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving resigned, and at McConnell’s request, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger resigned.
Jan. 7: WAPO reported ahead of the pro-Trump protests, the Pentagon placed limits on the D.C. National Guard in an effort to make sure the use of military force remained constrained, citing concerns of negative optics.
Jan. 7: CNN reported the State Department issued guidance to diplomatic posts that they should affirm to both allies and adversaries that Biden will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
Jan. 7: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters rioters “do not represent our country,” and “we condemn it [the attack] in the strongest possible terms.” She left without taking questions.
Hour later, in his first address since the riot, Trump tweeted a three-minute video, reading off of a teleprompter, and without saying Biden’s name, said that “a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th.”
An uncharacteristically subdued Trump added, “Now tempers must be cooled, and calm restored,” adding, “My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”
To rioters, whom he told “we love you” the day prior, Trump added, “To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
Trump also lied, claiming he “immediately” deployed members of the National Guard to the Capitol. Trump did not formally concede in the video. Some of his supporters expressed outrage at his abandoning them.
AP reported Trump agreed to make the video after Cipollone said he could face legal jeopardy for inciting the riot. Ivanka and Meadows also urged him, saying he could be removed as Republicans started to turn on him.
Daily Beast reported Trump had second thoughts about the video after seeing social media posts showing some supporters viewed it as abandoning them, and were upset he called for prosecution of the rioters.
Jan. 7: The WSJ Editorial Board called on Trump “to resign to spare the U.S. another impeachment fight.”
Jan. 7: WAPO reported in the 24 hours after the attack, Trump raged uncontrollably over betrayals, tuning out advisers. Only after reported deaths and Republicans calling for his removal did he accept he loss.
Regime officials described him as “a total monster,” and another said the situation was “insane” and “beyond the pale.” A Republican in touch with the White House said, “He is alone. He is mad King George.”
During the attack, Pence worked directly with acting defense secretary Christopher Miller, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Schumer, Pelosi, and McConnell. Trump was not involved, and did not reach out.
Jan. 7: The U.S. recorded 4,085 coronavirus deaths in a day — a record. More than 365,000 Americans had died, and more than 21.6 million were infected. The U.S. had roughly 1 in 4 cases and 1 in 5 deaths worldwide.
Jan. 8: Trump sent in his first tweet since getting temporarily suspended: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE.”
Trump added, “They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!” Trump then tweeted, “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”
Later Friday, Twitter banned Trump, saying in a blog post, “we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”
Jan. 8: Pelosi told her caucus she took the unprecedented step of asking Milley about “available precautions” to prevent Trump from initiating military action abroad or launching nuclear weapons in his final days.
She said she got “assurances there are safeguards in place” if Trump “wants to launch a nuclear weapon.” She asked Milley to remove Trump’s authorities as commander in chief, but he would not commit.
Some Pentagon officials resented being asked to act outside the legal authority of the 25th Amendment, saying political leaders were asking them to do the work of Congress and cabinet secretaries.
Jan. 8: A video taken by Donald Jr. on Jan. 6 ahead of Trump’s rally speech showed his family and friends laughing and dancing to the song “Gloria,” while Trump watched warm-up speakers on computer screens.
Jan. 8: Facebook posts by Ginni Thomas, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife, expressed support for rioters on Jan. 6 morning, saying, “LOVE MAGA people!” and “God bless each of you standing up or praying!”
Jan. 8: ABC New reported a Confederate flag was tied to the front door of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. An aggravated harassment complaint was filed.
Jan. 8: ABC News reported White House staff and Trump’s close allies, including former campaign staff, helped organizations behind the scenes in planning the Jan. 6 rally that led to the Capitol attack.
The Rule of Law Defense Fund, an arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association, also helped organize the rally. Donors to the RLDF include the Koch-backed Freedom Partners.
Jan. 8: Freshman Republican Rep. Peter Meijer says some of his colleagues voted against certifying the election out of fear, saying, “they felt that that vote would put their families in danger.”
Jan. 8: Majority Whip James Clyburn told CBS News that “somebody on the inside” helped, saying, “Congress people [say] that their staff are saying that they saw people being allowed into the building through side doors.”
Jan. 8: NYT reported pipe bombs at the RNC and DNC contained timing devices, and drew some law enforcement attention away from the breach, suggesting a level of possible level of coordination.
Jan. 8: At least two dozen Trump supporters confronted Sen. Lindsey Graham at Reagan National Airport, calling him a “traitor,” a “liar,” with one yelling, “One day [you] will not be able to walk down the street.”
Jan. 8: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski told the Anchorage Daily News, “I want him to resign. I want him out. He has caused enough damage,” and questioned her future with the Republican Party if they stay aligned with Trump.
Jan. 8: Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick died after being struck in the head with a fire extinguisher by rioters. Sicknick was the first police officer, and fifth person, to die in the attack. He was a Trump supporter.
Jan. 8: The family of Rosanne Boyland, 34, who was crushed to death at the attack said she followed QAnon and believed Trump won, and said Trump’s “words and rhetoric” were responsible for her death.
Jan. 8: The FBI said there was no evidence that members of antifa were involved in the insurrection.
Jan. 8: Bloomberg News reported Dominion Voting Systems sued Sidney Powell for defamation, citing she acted “in concert with allies and media outlets” to “promote a false preconceived narrative” about the election.
Jan. 8: The Houston Chronicle Editorial Board called on Cruz to resign, saying, “your lies have cost lives.”
Jan. 9: Democratic Sens. Patty Murray, Ron Wyden, and Chris Coons called on Cruz and Hawley to resign. Three major Missouri donors and mentors to Hawley said they will no longer support him.
Jan. 9: GOP Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, a state Hawley tried to overturn, told Fox News, “I do think the president committed impeachable offenses.” Toomey was not running for re-election in 2022.
Jan. 9: Arizona Central reported three of Rep. Paul Gosar’s siblings have called for him to be expelled from Congress, saying he helped instigate the deadly riot. Gosar also objected to his state’s tally on Jan. 6.
Jan. 9: WAPO reported three days after the attack, Republicans had yet to outline a plan to hold anyone accountable and were largely silent. Behind closed doors, Trump and Kushner encouraged allies to fight impeachment.
Jan. 9: WAPO reported Trump also pressured the investigations chief for the Georgia secretary of state’s office, urging him to “find the fraud” in a lengthy phone call in December, saying he would be a “national hero.”
Jan.9: WSJ reported White House officials forced U.S. Attorney Pak to resign before the runoff, citing Trump was upset that he was not doing enough to investigate Trump’s baseless allegations of voter fraud.
Jan. 9: CNN reported Pence had not ruled out invoking the 25th Amendment, keeping the option if Trump became more unstable. One source said Pence has finally “gotten a glimpse of POTUS’s vindictiveness.”
Jan. 9: BuzzFeed News reported Black Capitol police officers faced racism at the insurrection, including being called the n-word. One heroic officer, Eugene Goodman, led rioters away from the Senate chambers.
Jan. 9: WAPO reported police departments across the country are investigating whether their officers took part in the riot. Several officers, including one chief, had been terminated, put on leave, or disciplined.
Jan. 9: Louisville’s Courier Journal reported days after the insurrection, a group of 100 protesters, many of whom were armed, gathered outside Kentucky’s Capitol for a “patriots” rally. The group organized on Facebook.
Jan. 9: Historian Timothy Snyder wrote an op-ed about Trump’s “big lie” — his first — that “he had won an election that in fact he had lost,” aided by some Republican members of Congress. ‘Big lie’ became a catchphrase.
Jan. 10: An ABC New/Ipsos poll found 56% of Americans believe Trump should be removed — including 94% of Democrats, 13% of Republicans, and 58% of Independents — while 43% say he should not.
Also, 67% blame Trump for the insurrection. While more than two-thirds of Americans believed Biden’s win was legitimate, 73% of Republicans still refused to believe Trump lost.
Jan. 10: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told CNN, “I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican,” calling for accountability before healing, and adding, “We need people that will speak the truth.”
Jan. 10: Toomey told “State of the Union” that Trump might have “criminal liability” for the insurrection, and should be permanently disqualified from ever running for public office.
Jan. 10: Politico reported Trump told Loeffler before he landed in Georgia for the final rally that if she did not back the Electoral College challenges, he would “do a number on her” from the stage.
Jan. 10: Capitol chief Sund, whose resignation was effective Jan. 16, stepped down. He said he asked House and Senate security officials to request the D.C. National Guard be put on standby, but was turned down.
Sund also said he made “an urgent, urgent immediate request for National Guard assistance” from the Pentagon at 2:26 p.m., but they did not arrive until 5:40 p.m., after four had died and the worst was over.
Jan. 10: Howard Liebengood, a 15-year veteran of the Capitol Police who responded to the insurrection, died by apparent suicide.
Jan. 10: Trump ordered flags at the White House to be flown at half-staff in honor of two Capitol police who died, after initially refusing to do so. Flags at the Capitol had been lowered since officer Sicknick died.
Jan. 10: NBC News reported the FBI and NYPD warned the Capitol Police about the possibility of violence. The FBI visited the homes of more than a dozen extremists under investigation and urged them not to travel.
Jan. 10: NPR reported acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin said hundreds could face charges for the insurrection, and “it was criminal.” He added if evidence points to crimes by elected officials, he would bring charges.
Jan. 10: Bloomberg News reported with a dwindling circle of advisers after the insurrection, Trump was planning a defiant final week in which he would highlight his accomplishments, including a visit to his wall.
Trump was confident that Pence and his cabinet would not invoke the 25th Amendment. Trump and Pence had not spoken since Jan. 6, a day on which Sen. James Inhofe said he had “never seen Pence as angry.”
Jan. 11: Mayor Bowser asked DHS Sec. Chad Wolf to deny permits for demonstrations through Jan. 24. The National Park Service announced all or most of the National Mall would be closed for Inauguration Day.
Jan. 11: Rep. Tim Ryan, chair of the House subcommittee with oversight of the Capitol Police, said two officer were suspended: one who was seen in photos with rioters, one who walked with them wearing a MAGA hat.
Jan. 11: The New York State Bar Association launched a historic inquiry into removing Giuliani from its membership, citing his role in the violence on Jan. 6.
Jan. 11: WAPO reported Cumulus Media, which employs popular far-right radio hosts including Mark Levin and Dan Bongino, told its personalities to stop saying the election was stolen from Trump or face termination.
Jan. 11: Parler, a social media platform used by Trump supporters, went dark after Amazon, its cloud hosting service, cut services citing “posts that clearly encourage and incite violence.” Apple and Google also cut ties.
Jan. 11: The FBI sent a memo to law enforcement across the country warning of possible armed protests by extremist groups at all 50 state Capitols starting on Jan. 16, and at least through Jan. 20.
The memo, which contained information from ATF, DEA, the Pentagon, Park Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service also warned an armed group had threatened to travel to D.C. on Jan. 16 and start an uprising.
The memo also said there were threats of a huge uprising if Congress tried to remove Trump, and named threats against Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and Pelosi.
Jan. 11: House Democrats introduced a four-page article of impeachment for “incitement of insurrection,” with 210 co-signers, citing the 14th Amendment. At least a dozen Republicans were considering voting yes.
The post Civil War amendment prohibits anyone “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding future office. Lawmakers also mentioned Trump’s pressuring Georgia officials to overturn the results.
The article said Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government” and “the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government.”
Jan. 11: The Supreme Court denied Trump’s request to fast-track several lawsuits challenging the election results in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in an unsigned order that did not give a rationale or disclose how justices voted.
Jan. 11: Acting Homeland Security Sec. Wolf resigned, citing “recent events” and court rulings that challenged the validity of his appointment. Four days earlier he had pledged to stay on until Jan. 20.
Jan. 11: NYT reported several House Republicans fanned the flames before the riots, and voted to challenge election results after. Rep. Mo Brooks said at the rally, “Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America?”
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert referred to the day as Republicans’ “1776 moment.” Gosar and Pete Sessions interacted with “Stop the Steal.” Their comments raised questions of whether they coordinated with rioters.
Jan. 11: Politico reported Trump is unlikely to mount an aggressive challenge to impeachment, believing he is unlikely to be removed by the GOP controlled Senate. Instead he spent time railing against the election.
Trump is isolated, surrounded by Stephen Miller, John McEntee, Dan Scavino, Meadows, Ivanka and Jared, and top campaign aides Jason Miller and Steve Cortes. Most of the other staffers had left.
Jan. 11: The State Department launched an investigation, after a disgruntled employee altered the bios for Trump and Pence on the agency’s website to say their “term ended on 2021–01–11 19:44:22.”
Jan. 11: Lauren Blair Bianchi, the communications director for Ted Cruz, resigned. Reportedly she had become increasingly uncomfortable with his efforts to overturn Biden’s win.
Jan. 11: Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to ally Rep. Jim Jordan, who objected to the Electoral College results even after the insurrection, and continued to spread Trump’s lies about the election.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he would not accept a Medal of Freedom from Trump, citing “the tragic events of last week.”
Jan. 11: Adam Piper, the Executive Director of the Republican AG Association resigned, as fallout for a robocall placed by the RAGA fundraising arm urging Trump supporters to march on the Capitol.
Jan. 11: Trump and Pence met in the evening, their first communication since the insurrection, and reportedly had a “good conversation.” Pence aides described him as “discouraged, disheartened, hurt and stunned.”
CBS News reported Pence seriously considered invoking the 25th Amendment, but White House lawyers’ research indicated it covered incapacity due to things like a serious injury or undergoing anesthesia.
Jan. 11: WAPO reported during the six hours of mob violence, House Minority Leader McCarthy called Kushner, Graham called Ivanka, and Kellyanne Conway called an aide near Trump — all pleading for him to intercede.
Conway said she got calls from Mayor Bowser’s office asking for help calling up the National Guard. Several Republican members of Congress also called White House aides, begging for him to call for the violence to end.
Advisers said Trump was absorbed, watching the riots on television since returning to the White House at 2:24 p.m., and ignored their pleas. Press aides began discussing a statement at 2 p.m. when the Capitol was breached.
After being lobbied by Ivanka, Meadows, and McEnany, shortly after 2:30 p.m., Trump tweeted: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
Trump had not wanted to include “Stay peaceful.” At one point, Trump was said to be concerned that the unruly crowd would frighten the GOP lawmakers from doing his bidding and objecting to election results.
Pence, who was taken to a secure location just seconds before the mob breached the Senate chamber, fielded furious calls from congressional leaders, and later worked to mobilize the soldiers.
Jan. 11: More than 1,000 historians and constitutional scholars called for Trump to be impeached, saying, “Trump has refused to accept the results of a free and fair election, something no president before him has ever done.”
They added, “Trump has defied the Constitution and broken laws, norms, practices and precedents, for which he must be held accountable,” and “No future president should be tempted” by his example going unpunished.
Jan. 11: NYT reported in the four days the insurrection, the Trump brand had suffered and may not recover, even as Trump faces more than $300 million in debt coming due in the next four years.
Deutsche Bank, his biggest lender, said it would no longer do business with him. Signature Bank closed two personal accounts with Trump and called on him to resign. Professional Bank said it would also cut ties.
The P.G.A. of America pulled its 2022 P.G.A. Championship from Trump Bedminster, saying it “would be detrimental” to their brand, and “put at risk” their ability to deliver programming.
Stripe announced it would stop processing payments for the Trump campaign website. YouTube suspended Trump’s accounts, and warned the White House. Nearly 20 platforms had banned Trump accounts.
The Girl Scouts of Greater New York sought to get out of their lease with Trump’s 40 Wall Street building. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city would terminate all contracts with the Trump Org.
Several companies, including AT&T, Dow, Morgan Stanley, and Airbnb announced they would stop giving money to the 147 Republican members of Congress who objected to certifying election results on Jan. 6.
Jan. 11: House Democrats were briefed by the new leaders of the Capitol Police on three plots being planned for the coming days, including one to circle the Capitol and assassinate Democrats and some Republicans.
Jan. 11: On an evening call with House Republicans, Rep. Liz Cheney told members tomorrow’s vote on impeachment was “going to be a vote of conscience,” saying she would not whip the vote as they did the first time.
Jan. 12: Patsy Widakuswara, who covered the White House for Voice of America, was reassigned after shouting a question at Pompeo after he gave a speech about censorship and authoritarianism overseas.
Widakuswara was also blocked from being on Air Force One for Trump’s Texas event. The White House Correspondents’ Association called the decision to reassign her “an assault on the First Amendment.”
Jan. 12: Reuters reported Pompeo’s trip to Brussels was canceled last minute, after Luxembourg’s foreign minister and top European Union officials declined to meet with him.
Jan. 12: CNN reported Gen. Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent a rare message to the entire military in the wake of Jan. 6, reminding them their obligation is to support and defend the Constitution and reject extremism.
Jan. 12: The Harvard Institute of Politics removed GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who voted to challenge election results and pushed lies about voter fraud, from its Senior Advisory Committee.
Jan. 12: Speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn, for the first time since Jan. 6, before heading to an event in Texas, Trump denounced violence, but took no responsibility for inciting the riot.
Trump said impeachment “is causing tremendous anger, and you’re doing it and it’s really a terrible thing that they’re doing,” adding, “I think it’s causing tremendous danger to our country….I want no violence.”
He similarly blamed his being banned from social media platforms for anger and possible violence, saying, “It causes a lot of problems and a lot of anger,” and “There’s always a counter-move when they do that.”
Trump also took no responsibility for the insurrection, saying his speech that day was “totally appropriate,” adding, “They’ve analyzed my speech, my words. Everybody to a T thought it was appropriate.”
Trump deflected, blaming the violence on Democrats, citing “the riots during the summer, the horrible riots in Portland and Seattle … that was a real problem.”
Later, Trump began his remarks at the border wall claiming, “the 25th Amendment is of zero risk to me,” but saying it would “haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration,” threatening, “be careful what you wish for.”
Trump added, “free speech is under assault like never before,” and claimed, “the impeachment hoax is a continuation of the greatest and most vicious witch hunt” that “is causing tremendous anger and division and pain.”
Jan. 12: WAPO reported a Jan. 5 report by the FBI office in Virginia warned that extremists were preparing to travel to D.C. to commit violence and “war,” contradicting a senior official who said there was no warning.
The report cited an online thread: “‘Be ready to fight. Congress needs to hear glass breaking, doors being kicked in…Get violent. Stop calling this a march, or rally, or a protest. Go there ready for war.”
Jan. 12: Sherwin and Steven D’Antuono, head of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, held a news conference on the Capitol insurrection. Notably, acting AG Rosen and FBI Director Christopher Wray did not attend, as would be typical.
Sherwin said, “We’re looking at significant felony cases tied to sedition and conspiracy.” He announced the creation of a sedition and conspiracy task force to pursue charges, which he called “unprecedented” in scope.
The task force would investigate the plundering of congressional offices and digital devices, assaults on law enforcement, theft of national security and defense information, felony murder, and excessive use of force.
Jan. 12: NYT reported McConnell told associates that Trump committed impeachable offenses, and said he was pleased that the House was moving forward to impeach him, as more violent imagery emerged.
McConnell, who had not spoken to Trump since Dec. 14, believed impeachment would make it easier to purge Trump from the GOP. He also blamed Trump for losing the Georgia runoffs and control of the Senate.
McCarthy was also asking other Republicans if he should call on Trump to resign. While McCarthy said he was personally against impeachment, he did not lobby the caucus to vote no, and was open to the idea of a censure.
Jan. 12: Cheney announced she would vote for impeachment, saying in a statement Trump “summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing.”
Cheney added Trump “could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence,” and “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.”
Jan. 12: In a letter to Pelosi, Pence rejected the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, after the House voted 223–205 to formally call on Pence to do so, and said they would impeach him if Pence did not.
Jan. 12: Republican Accountability Project, a group of former regime members and anti-Trump Republicans, said it would contribute $50 million toward the re-election of Republicans who vote for impeachment.
Jan. 12: Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy pilot, said in a webcast that some GOP members of Congress led people through the Capitol on Jan. 5 in what she termed a “reconnaissance for the next day.”
Jan. 12: Far-right House Republicans were outraged over new metal detectors at the House chamber. Boebert set off the machine, but refused to turn over her gun. A dozen others walked around the machine.
Shortly after, Taylor Greene, who also walked around the machine, was seen wearing a face mask saying “MOLON LABE,” a Greek term meaning “come and take [them]” — known to be a rallying cry for the far-right.
Jan. 13: Airbnb said it would cancel all short-term reservations in the D.C. area during the inauguration, citing feedback from its hosts and government officials.
Jan. 13: WAPO reported National Guard forces upward of 20,000 guardsmen were expected to come to D.C. ahead of the inauguration, and plans were in place for rehearsing security and strengthening coordination.
Jan. 13: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the Metro would be closed from Jan. 15 through Jan. 21. Metro also closed 13 stations inside the security perimeter.
Jan. 13: Ahead of the impeachment vote, Democratic Rep. Jason Crow told MSNBC that the majority of his GOP colleagues were “paralyzed with fear,” and “afraid for their lives if they vote for this impeachment.”
Jan. 13: Trump allies Reps. Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, and others called on Cheney to be removed from her role as House Republican Conference chair. Cheney responded, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Jan. 13: Twitter suspended Rep. Boebert’s account until after inauguration, saying she had tweets that “violated the Twitter Rules.” During the insurrection, she had tweeted about Pelosi’s location.
During the impeachment debate, Trump issued a statement: “In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind,” claiming, “That is not what I stand for.”
Trump watched parts of the debate. Aides tried to convince him to resign to avoid an impeachment trial and being banned from running for political office again, but Trump declined, citing Richard Nixon’s waning influence.
The House voted 232 to 197 to impeach Trump, with ten Republicans joining the most bipartisan impeachment. It was the fourth impeachment in U.S. history and the first time a president had been impeached twice.
Shortly after, under heavy pressure, Trump issued a video of him seated behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office telling supporters, “Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.”
Amid warnings of more violence, Trump added, “I want to be very clear: I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week,” and “Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country.”
Trump was not contrite, offered no apology for his role in the insurrection, or his lies for two month about election fraud, and did not admit he lost. His aides continued to warn him he faced potential legal exposure for the riot.
Jan. 13: WAPO reported Trump was increasingly isolated and vengeful — lashing out at aides and some in the conservative media for not mounting a more forceful defense of his role in inciting the insurrection.
As impeachment quickly gained steam, Trump was upset that virtually no one defended him. Trump asked Graham, who traveled with him on AF1 to Texas, to help lobby GOP Senators against impeachment.
Trump was also furious at Pence and Giuliani. He instructed aides not to pay Giuliani’s legal fees, and demanded he personally approve any travel expenses, after Giuliani demanded $20,000 per day for election work.
NYT reported more staffers had quit. The White House Counsel’s Office was not preparing to defend Trump in the Senate trial. Kushner blocked Trump from opening an account on Gab, due to anti-Semitic content there.
Jan. 13: The FBI arrested a Queens man, Proud Boys supporter Eduard Florea, who threatened violence against Warnock on Parler. He had 1,000 rounds of rifle ammunition, 75 military-style combat knives, and more.
Jan. 13: The FBI arrested Colorado man and QAnon conspiracist Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr., who plotted to kill Pelosi and Bowser. He brought a Glock assault-style rifle and 2,500 rounds of ammunition to D.C. on Jan. 6.
Jan. 13: Reuters reported other arrests included off-duty police and firefighters, state lawmakers, teachers, municipal workers, at least one active-duty military officer, and dozens of public servants.
Jan. 13: Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Jonathan Fahey resigned. Fahey had assumed the role in August when his predecessor Tony Pham departed.
Jan. 13: Law professor John Eastman, the Kamala Harris birther who represented Trump in some election legal matters, departed his position in the Fowler Law School at Chapman University.
Jan. 14: Rep. Peter Meijer, one of the ten Republicans to vote for impeachment, told MSNBC that he planned to buy body armor and change his daily routines because he feared his life was in danger.
Jan. 14: Newsday Editorial Board condemned Rep. Lee Zeldin’s “failure” of leadership, noting the insurrection “was stoked by the outrageous undermining of election integrity” by Trump and Republicans like Zeldin.
Jan. 14: Peter Navarro told Fox Business, “the Democratic Party did violence to this country” by attacking Trump who “was legally elected on November 3.” Host Maria Bartiromo replied: “We know that there were irregularities in this election.”
Jan. 14: CNN reported Melania has made no outreach to or help with onboarding for incoming First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, the only First Lady in modern times not to do so.
Jan. 14: Pro-Trump candidate Doug Steinhardt dropped his bid for New Jersey governor. Steinhardt, the former Republican State Chairman, reassessed his candidacy in the days following the insurrection.
Jan. 14: Rep. Adriano Espaillat became the fourth House Democrat to test positive for Covid-19, after sheltering with House Republicans, several of whom refused to wear masks while sheltering in a secure location on Jan. 6.
Jan. 14: Three Republican Georgia state senators who supported Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results were stripped of their committee assignments by the state’s GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.
Jan. 14: A Texas prosecutor told the court that retired Lt. Col. Larry Rendall Brock Jr. carried plastic zip-tie handcuffs because he intended to “kidnap, restrain…perhaps execute members of the U.S. government.”
Jan. 14: The House Oversight Committee sent a letter to bus, rental-car and hotel properties asking for help in preventing attacks ahead of the inauguration, by increasing security and screening of guests.
Jan. 14: CNN reported when advisers mentioned Nixon and the idea of resignation, Trump exploded in an expletive-laden rant and told them not to bring it up again. He was resentful of Republicans and felt abandoned.
In private, as staffers and cabinet members depart, Trump still contended he won 2020. Some have advised Trump that a self-pardon may not hold up, a factor that led him to make the Jan. 13 video condemning the riots.
Jan. 14: Bloomberg News reported Trump has repeatedly spoken this week to former adviser Steve Bannon on overturning the election. One source said Trump is seeking out allies who will tell him what he wants to hear.
Jan. 14: FBI Director Wray said over 200 suspects from the insurrection had been identified, and more than 100 arrested as agents chased down thousands of leads to help prevent a follow up attack.
Jan. 14: WAPO reported dozens of people on the FBI terrorist watchlist, mostly suspected white supremacists, came to D.C. on Jan. 6 — another example of intelligence failures that day.
Jan. 14: Yahoo News reported a simultaneous transfer of 28.15 bitcoins — worth more than $500,000 — was made on Dec. 8 to 22 wallets, most linked to right-wing organizations and activists linked to the insurrection.
Jan. 14: The DOJ IG released a scathing new report, finding senior DOJ officials were the “driving force” behind Trump’s “zero-tolerance” family separation policy. NBC News reported the DOJ sat on the report since October.
Former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein issued a statement of regret. Former acting AG Matt Whitaker and current DOJ official Gene Hamilton issued statements blaming Trump and then-DHS Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen.
Jan. 14: D.C. AG’s office said it notified Donald Jr. that it wanted to interview him as part of a probe alleging Trump’s inaugural committee, a tax-exempt nonprofit, improperly funneled money to Trump’s business.
In addition to overpaying for the Trump Hotel DC, the committee paid $49,000 to a collection agency, after an assistant and close friend of Donald Jr. refused to pay for hotel rooms at the Loews Madison Hotel.
Jan. 15: Oklahoma GOP Sen. James Lankford apologized to Black Tulsans, saying he did not understanding that questioning votes in certain states was actually casting doubt on votes in “predominantly Black communities.”
Jan. 15: In a letter to Pelosi, 68 Colorado elected officials in Boebert’s district condemned “her association with the right wing groups that supported the insurrection,” and asked for an investigation of her role.
Jan. 15: At her weekly news conference, Pelosi said if members of Congress were accomplices to this insurrection, “if they aided and abetted the crimes, there have to be actions taken beyond the Congress.”
Pelosi also announced that she had tasked retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré with leading an immediate review of the U.S. Capitol’s security infrastructure, interagency processes, and command and control.
Pelosi expressed outrage over a rioter who was seen wearing a t-shirt inside the Capitol that said “Camp Auschwitz.” Robert Keith Packer, 56, of Newport News was arrested in Virginia on Jan. 13.
Jan. 15: The Capitol Police said they are investigating allegations by 31 Democratic lawmakers that Republican lawmakers gave unsanctioned tours of the Capitol to Trump supporters on Jan. 5.
Jan. 15: WAPO reported Pence and his family were hustled out of the Senate chamber less than a minute before rioters charged up the stairs to a second-floor landing, where they were directed away by officer Goodman.
Jan. 15: DOJ IG Michael Horowitz said he will review how the department, including the FBI, prepared for Jan. 6, including information shared with Capitol police, and the response once the riot began.
Jan. 15: WAPO reported a Jan. 3 internal Capitol Police intelligence report warned of a violent scenario in which “Congress itself” could be targeted on Jan. 6 — raising further questions about security failures.
The report noted Trump supporters “see January 6, 2021, as the last opportunity to overturn the results,” and “This sense of desperation and disappointment may lead to more of an incentive to become violent.”
Jan. 15: At a news conference, Sherwin said authorities are investigating law enforcement officers who participated on Jan. 6, saying, “We don’t care what your profession is…we will charge you and you will be arrested.”
Jan. 15: Pew Research found Trump was viewed less favorably after Jan. 6, and would leave office with his lowest approval (29%). While Biden was view positively, 76% rated Trump either fair (14%) or poor (62%).
Jan. 15: A judge ordered Jacob Chansley, a Navy veteran and follower of QAnon, who allegedly left a note for Pence during the insurrection saying, “It’s only a matter of time, justice is coming,” to be detained pending trial.
Jan. 15: Acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli told CNN that the rehearsal for the inauguration ceremony would be delayed until Monday amid heightened security concerns.
Jan. 15: Incoming Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who objected to the elector vote count, floated the idea of delaying Biden’s inauguration, saying it should be delayed until “after we got this virus behind us a little bit.”
Jan. 15: Conservative opinion website American Thinker issued an apology to Dominion Voting Systems for printing false claims, after getting a letter from Dominion’s attorney alleging defamation.
Jan. 15: Pence finally called incoming vice president Harris to congratulate her. In 2016, Biden, Pence and their spouses met for lunch at the Naval Observatory and Biden told him he was “available to him 24/7.”
While Trump has remained behind closed doors in the White House, Pence had stepped up to perform many of the ceremonial duties of the presidency, and received briefings on inauguration security.
Jan. 15: The Manhattan D.A.’s office said it was expanding its criminal investigation into the Trump Organization’s finances to include the family’s Seven Springs compound in Westchester County.
Jan. 15: Bloomberg Law reported Trump was having trouble finding a legal team to defend him for his impeachment trial. Previous attorneys Jay Sekulow and Cipollone have said no this time.
Jan. 15: The DOJ argued in a court filing Trump should be granted immunity in the defamation suit brought against him by E. Jean Carroll, saying he should be classified as “an employee of the government.”
Jan. 15: NYT reported the new Fulton County, Georgia district attorney, Fani Willis, is increasingly likely to open a criminal investigation into Trump over his attempts to overturn the state’s result in the 2020 election.
Jan. 15: The National Rifle Association declared bankruptcy, months after the New York AG sued the organization.
Jan. 15: Former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards said he was leaving the GOP, saying it had become “a cult,” and Republicans had put “personal ambition” first and it is “leading them to real dark paths.”
Jan. 15: White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told WSJ of Jan. 6, “I was hoping that he would come out quickly” to stop violence, and said he was disappointed in how Trump treated Pence.
Jan. 15: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar resigned. Earlier in the day, CNN reported that despite Trump regime promises, the government did not have “reserve” of Covid-19 second vaccines.
Jan. 15: In an op-ed, former deputy DNI Sue Gordon argued that Trump should stop getting intelligence briefings once he leaves office, arguing he is too great of a national security risk.
Jan. 16: James Murdoch said in a statement: “Spreading disinformation — whether about the election, public health or climate change — has real world consequences. Many media property owners have as much responsibility for this as the elected officials.”
Jan. 16: Hundreds of authors, editors, agents, professors, and others in the American literary community signed an open letter opposing any publisher signing book deals for Trump and members of his regime.
Jan. 16: Sen. Joe Manchin told PBS that the Senate should consider removing Hawley and Cruz with the 14th Amendment, saying what Cruz did was “outside of the realm of our responsibilities or our privileges.”
Jan. 16: AP reported Manhattan DA’s office interviewed Michael Cohen for an hour on Thursday, asking a range of questions on Trump’s business dealings, and focusing in part on his relationship with Deutsche Bank.
Jan. 16: WAPO reported online misinformation about election fraud plunged 73% in the week since several social media platforms suspended the accounts of Trump and his key allies.
Jan. 16: With Trump’s dwindling remaining staffers, Mike Lindell, the chief executive of the bedding company MyPillow, a conspiracy theorist and frequent guest on Fox News, visited him at the White House.
A WAPO photographer captured a shot of Lindell’s notes, which referenced invoking the Insurrection Act, Sidney Powell, moving Kash Patel to Pentagon chief of staff, and “martial law if necessary.”
Jan. 16: WAPO reported insurrectionists’ accounts, including some who were arrested, showed Trump spurred them to rush the Capitol. In one clip a rioter says, “We were invited by the president of the United States!”
Jan. 16: Capitol police arrested an armed Virginia man who attempted to pass through a police checkpoint in downtown D.C., showing a fake inauguration badge. He claimed, “It was an honest mistake.”
Jan. 16: Ben Goldey, the communications director for Boebert, resigned saying, “Following the events of January 6th, I’ve decided to part ways with the office.”
Jan. 16: The Trump regime, in one of its final acts, set in motion the transfer of sacred Native American land in Arizona called Flat Oak to Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton to become one of the larges copper mines.
Jan. 16: The Census Bureau said in a statement that Trump’s push to exclude undocumented individuals from totals to apportion congressional seats would not happen before he left office.
The bureau’s IG found Steven Dillingham, who Trump appointed to lead the agency, tried to rush the collection and processing of data to release it before Trump’s term ended.
Jan. 16: WAPO reported Miller ordered the NSA director to immediately install Michael Ellis, a staunch Trump supporter as the NSA’s top lawyer. NSA officials expressed concern that Trump is trying to burrow loyalists.
Jan. 17: NYT reported in Trump’s final days, a brisk market for pardons has developed among those with access to Trump, with some lobbyists and allies collecting tens of thousands of dollars or possibly more.
Jan. 17: AP reported members of Trump’s failed presidential campaign played a key role in orchestrating the rally. Since the insurrection, several scrambled to distance themselves — three had their names on the permit.
Jan. 17: State Capitols in several states were boarded up or fenced off, after the FBI warning of more violence planned for Sunday. Governors declared states of emergency, closed Capitols, and called up troops.
Protests that did happen Sunday tended to be peaceful and quiet, with small crowds. In Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina armed Trump supporters gathered outside of statehouses, but there was no violence.
Jan. 17: WSJ reported based on posts by Proud Boys on Parler, Telegram, and Gab, they had seized on Trump’s call to come to D.C. — often using his words — and had played a role in helping to lead the insurrection.
Jan. 17: Twitter suspended Taylor Greene’s account, after she posted a clip in which she condemned Georgia election officials and floated election conspiracy theories, for “multiple violations of our civic integrity policy.”
Jan. 17: AP reported defense officials fear a possible insider attack or other threat from service members securing Biden’s inauguration, prompting the FBI to vet all of the 25,000 National Guard troops coming into D.C.
The number of guardsmen coming to D.C. from around the country, was at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals. Guardsmen began deploying a week ago with the last ones arriving on Jan. 20.
Army Sec. Ryan McCarthy said, “service members from across the military were at that [Trump] rally,” and two “current active-duty or National Guard members have been arrested” in connection with the insurrection.
Jan. 17: There were ten times the number of troops in D.C. as were stationed in Afghanistan, and more troops than in the U.S.’s main theaters of war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria combined
The Secret Service also established a “green zone” around the U.S. Capitol — a term used for secure zones in Iraq and Afghanistan’s capital cities.
Jan. 17: WAPO fact-checker tracked that Trump told 30,534 false or misleading claims in his 1,458 days. The pace of lying escalated throughout his time in office.
Jan. 18: Gallup polls found Trump’s approval down to 34%, matching the low-point, and dropping 12 points since the election. His 41% average while in office was the lowest in Gallup polling history by four points.
Jan. 18: On the evening of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the White House released its “1776 Commission,” a document that excused slavery, derided the civil rights movement, and equated progressivism with totalitarianism.
Jan. 18: WAPO reported the FBI is probing possible connections between The Oath Keepers, the Three Percenters, and the Proud Boys in organizing the insurrection. Several arrests had been made.
Jan. 18: WAPO reported the FBI warned law enforcement that QAnon adherents were discussing posing as National Guard members in D.C., and others have reviewed maps of vulnerable spots in the city.
Jan. 18: The FBI was seeking was Riley June Williams, 22, who was captured in a video stealing Pelosi’s laptop during the insurrection, and allegedly planned to sell it through a friend to Russian intelligence.
Jan. 18: Census Bureau Director Dillingham, a Trump appointee, resigned a week after whistleblower complaints about his role in attempting to rush out an incomplete data report about non-citizens.
Jan. 19: Prosecutors levied the first significant conspiracy charge for the insurrection against Thomas Caldwell, a leader of Oath Keepers, alleging he was involved with “planning and coordinating” the breach.
Jan. 19: My Pillow CEO Lindell said Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wayfair, and other retailers are dropping his products.
Jan. 19: WAPO reported the 147 GOP lawmakers who objected to the election results had been cut off from 20 of the 30 largest corporate PAC donors, and the other 10 were reviewing the matter.
Jan. 19: WAPO reported 12 members of the National Guard were removed from inauguration duty in the screening process, including at least two with possible sympathies for anti-government groups.
Jan. 19: Fox News’ senior vice president and managing editor Bill Sammon, who oversaw its election night “decision desk,” departed, after taking heat for the network’s early call, along with the AP, of Arizona for Biden.
Jan. 19: CNN reported Trump asked for an elaborate send-off as he leaves Washington. An idea being floated was a 21-gun salute, one of the great honors which is normally bestowed on government and military officials.
Jan. 19: A Politico/Morning Consult poll found support for impeaching Trump growing, with GOP support at 20%, up from 14% a week ago, and support with Independents at 50% up from 47%. Overall 55% supported.
Jan. 19: McConnell said on the Senate floor of the insurrection that “the mob was fed lies,” referring to election fraud lies, and added, “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”
Jan. 19: WSJ reported Trump had discussed with associates in recent days the idea of starting a new political party called the “Patriot Party,” in an effort to exert influence after he leaves office.
Jan. 19: CNN reported with time running out, Trump is consumed with his grievances, including Republicans abandoning him. He was also insisting to people around him that he won the election.
While Trump eagerly awaited his military-style sendoff from Joint Base Andrews on Inauguration morning, there were signs that the crowd size would be small, as most invited declined to attend, including Pence.
Others invited, and allowed to bring up to five guests, included Anthony Scaramucci, John Kelly, and Don McGahn — all declined. Organizers were anxious about the crowd size, but said they would proceed anyway.
Trump had not left the White House or been seen in public for a week, and only once since Jan.6. On the evening of Jan. 18, he taped a propaganda-type video ticking off achievements he believed defined his time in office.
The video, released on Jan. 19, did not mention Biden. Trump claimed, “We did what we came here to do — and so much more,” and only mentioned the grim milestone of 400,000 Americans dead from the coronavirus once.
As the video was released, Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and other family members arrived by plane at Andrews from Delaware. Biden chartered a plane after Trump refused to send an authorized Air Force jet as would be typical.
Shortly after, as part of the Biden/Harris inaugural festivities, four-hundred lights around the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool were lit to honor the 400,000 Americans — marking the first memorial for the dead.
Jan. 19: Pelosi told MSNBC, “Presidents’ words are important. They weigh a ton,” adding Trump could be an accessory to murder “because he instigated that insurrection that caused those deaths and this destruction.”
Jan. 19: The U.S. passed 400,000 deaths and nearly 25 million coronavirus cases. NYT outlined Trump’s failure to handle the pandemic from its outset, including failure to pursue a unified national effort.
Jan. 19: CNN reported Trump had been told at a lengthy meeting with his legal advisers on his final Saturday that pardoning his family or himself would convey the appearance of guilt and increase his own legal exposure.
Cipollone and Eric Herschmann, who represented him in the first impeachment, also advised Trump that pardoning GOP lawmakers who sought them for their role in the insurrection would anger GOP Senators.
Jan. 19: Late in the evening and continuing in the morning, Trump handed out 144 pardons and sentence commutations to entertainers, politicians (none related the insurrection), and several connected Trump allies.
Notably, after much speculation, Trump did not attempt a self-pardon, or pardon members of his family. The most notable pardon was for Bannon, and Elliott Broidy, who was represented by Abbe Lowell.
Jan. 20: At just after 1 a.m., Trump rescinded his own 2017 executive order which had banned his regime officials from taking lobbying jobs for five years after leaving office.
Trump also extended Secret Service protection for his four adult children and their two spouses for the next six months, at no cost. Under federal law, only Melania and his 14 year-old son were entitled to protection.
Jan. 20: The FBI arrested Proud Boys organizer Joseph Randall Biggs in Florida, saying he “did aid, abet, counsel, command, induce, or procure others.” Biggs was seen wearing a walkie-talkie device and earpiece.
Jan. 20: WAPO reported the Army falsely denied to the Post for days that Lt. Gen. Charles Flynn, the brother of Michael Flynn, was involved in a key meeting on the military response that took place during the insurrection.
Jan. 20: Trump departed the White House for the last time at shortly after 8 a.m., and headed to Joint Base Andrews for a melancholy military send-off before a small crowd, before heading home to Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was the fourth president in U.S. history to refuse to attend their successors’s inauguration, joining John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Johnson. All three served one term. Johnson was impeached.
Meadows, Ivanka and Jared, Rep. Ronny Jackson, Sean Spicer, and other current and former aides attended Trump’s send-off. Pence, McConnell, and McCarthy declined, saying it conflicted with Biden’s inauguration.
Trump had wanted a grand, military send-off with authoritarian pageantry, but instead a military band played “Hail to the Chief” and cannons fired in salute to crowd of a few hundred aides and loyalists.
The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder despite health recommendations to social distance, while familiar music from his rallies played, including the Village People’s “YMCA,” “Billie Jean,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright.”
Trump told the crowd, “This is a great, great country. It is my greatest honor and privilege to have been your president,” adding, “I will always fight for you. I will be watching. I will be listening.”
Trump said of the Biden administration, “I think they’ll have great success,” and concluded his remarks, saying, “We will be back in some form,” and “Have a good life.”
Trump did leave a note for Biden in the presidential Resolute Desk, as is customary, but holding a rival celebration on Inauguration Day broke another norm of focusing solely on the incoming president.
As Air Force One rolled on the tarmac, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” blared from the loudspeakers. Trump, along with Melania and his adult children, landed in West Palm Beach, where there were no greeters to meet him.

Violent protesters, loyal to Trump, storm the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. It was a stunning day as a number of lawmakers and then the mob of protesters tried to overturn America’s presidential election, undercut the nation’s democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.