entreaties, it took him three days to order the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of a Capitol Police Officer who had been killed by insurrectionists.[1]
President Trump’s conduct on and after January 6 exacerbated the continuing threat of violence following the assault on the Capitol. As a result, the federal and state governments had to take unprecedented measures to ensure security in Washington. The states sent 25,000 National Guard troops to protect the inauguration of an incoming President from potential violence incited by the outgoing President.[2] In addition, state capitols across the Nation shut their doors and took extreme security measures during the days leading up to the inauguration for fear of further violence in support of President Trump.[3] As the Director of the FBI stated, there was a major “potential for violence at multiple protests and rallies” both in Washington and at state capitols around the country “that could bring armed individuals within close proximity to government buildings and officials.”[4] Ultimately, President Trump announced he would not attend the inauguration of President Biden.[5] He never issued any statement condemning threatened attacks on the inauguration or repudiating violence against the lawful government of the United States of America
G. The House Approves An Article of Impeachment with Bipartisan Support
In light of the crisis that President Trump created and the overwhelming public evidence of his guilt, the House acted quickly to impeach him.[6] Five days after the assault on the Capitol, an article of impeachment for incitement of insurrection was introduced in the House and referred to
- ↑ David Choi, Trump Lowers the White House Flag after Pressure from Both Republicans and Democrats, Business Insider (Jan. 10, 2021).
- ↑ Emily Davies et al., With Mall, Bridges and Streets Closed in D.C., the Nation Prepares for a Celebration of Democracy Mostly Devoid of its Citizens, Wash. Post (Jan. 15, 2021), https://perma.cc/FR4Y-6G7N.
- ↑ Associated Press, State Capitols Boarded Up, Fenced Off, Patrolled by Troops, KNAU (Jan. 18, 2021).
- ↑ Press Release, FBI, FBI Director Christopher Wray’s Remarks at Briefing on Inauguration Security (Jan. 15, 2021).
- ↑ Kaitlin Collins & Kevin Liptak, Trump Tweets He is Skipping Biden’s Inauguration, CNN (Jan. 8, 2021).
- ↑ H. Res. 24, 117th Cong. (Jan. 11, 2021).
