On Jan. 6, 2021, history was made. America experienced the unthinkable. Countries across the world were shocked at what they saw: the Capitol being stormed by hundreds of thousands of Americans, trying to halt the act of confirming then President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory.

Hanging off the side of the building, stealing government official podiums, and destroying senators’ offices were just a few of the events that took place. News outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, and many others were covering the events as they unfolded.

Senior Zach Herr is a member of the Young Republicans of MN. Herr said the Capitol riots were something that “impacted him and his organization”.

“It was frankly one of the most unpatriotic and disgusting acts I’ve seen carried out on American soil,” Herr said.

A mere eight hours following the events that were still continuing, former President Donald Trump released a statement telling rioters to go home.

“You have to go home now. We have to have peace,” Trump said. “We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anyone hurt.”

As the rioting continued, members of Congress were rushed to safety under desks and tucked away in offices because of the looting. 

Consequently, government officials instituted increased security for Biden’s inauguration to ensure threats similar to the Capitol riots wouldn’t threaten the proceedings.

“Although we hope that nothing like the Capitol riots ever happen again, there is now always that potential threat, and I think that will be reflected at future inaugurations.” social studies teacher David Falke said. 

Junior Kheely Warren who is a part of the Young Democratic Socialists of America club was ‘shocked and disgusted’ at the events that took place. 

“I think, like many other events in history, this will be sugar coated in order to present a cleaner image,” Warren said. 

The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the changes in protocol that must take place following the events at the Capitol. 

More recently, there is a pending impeachment case against former President Donald Trump due to his alleged inciting of the rioters that stormed the Capitol. Trump held a rally prior to the events at the Capitol while the certification of then Biden’s victory was taking place. 

“We’re going to walk down to the Capitol and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them,” Trump said. 

Many government officials are speculating that these words, in addition to Trump’s potentially inflammatory Tweets, were the reason behind the riots and looting at the Capitol. As soon as this rally ended, hundreds of thousands of Americans marched right into the Capitol. 

Moving forward, the federal government has the opportunity to review safety and security protocols as well as  redefining the difference between protesting and rioting. Biden said that government officials must work together to “restore the honor, the integrity, the independence of the Department of Justice.”