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07th Jan 2021

Two photos of Capitol building 1,448 days apart encapsulate horror of Trump presidency

The lunatics have taken over the asylum

Oli Dugmore

The lunatics have taken over the asylum

A Donald Trump inspired mob stormed America’s parliament Wednesday, leaving a stain on the country’s political history that will not easily come out in the wash.

At least four people are dead, one a victim of a shooting, 52 have been arrested and the Washington DC mayor has declared a state of emergency until January 21 – Joe Biden’s first day in office.

Terrifying scenes were broadcast from America’s Capitol as violent rioters breached the Capitol building, reaching the Congress floor and even Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s offices.

The president has been banned from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for his role in inciting the chaos. He will not be granted access to his Twitter account until he deletes a video calling the mob “great patriots” and reiterating the false claim that November’s general election result was “fraudulent.”

Would it end any other way?

Trump has less than 14 days left in office and many predicted these kind of scenes when he was first elected in 2016. When he called the far right at Charlottesville “very fine people.” When he was endorsed by senior members of the KKK.

Well, that escalated steadily over the course of four years.

Two photos, taken 1,448 days apart, from the start and end of Trump’s presidency encapsulate America democracy’s descent into madness and anarchy.

Trump’s supporters attacked the Capitol as Congress was certifying Joe Biden’s general election victory. Proceedings were suspended during the siege but resumed later that day after police cleared the premises.

Just hours before the Battle of the Capitol Trump had addressed his fans at a rally in Washington DC telling them he would never concede, and waited hours after they’d breached the building to ask them to leave. Even in that video he told the violent mob “we love you,” reiterated that the election was “fraudulent” but asked them be peaceful and return home.

At least one improvised explosive device was found on the Capitol grounds.