A surge of rioters invaded the United States Capitol as Congress was in session to certify the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden was declared the winner over incumbent President Donald Trump. The mob, encouraged by Trump’s speech earlier that day, aimed to overturn the election results based on unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. As rioters broke windows and pushed through barricades, law enforcement struggled to manage the situation. The chaos forced lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence, present to preside over the certification, to evacuate the building to ensure their safety.

The circumstances quickly escalated as rioters occupied and vandalized chambers, leading to a lockdown. The National Guard was eventually deployed, and law enforcement regained control after several hours of violent confrontations. Among the four fatalities was Ashli Babbitt, a rioter shot by police while attempting to breach a secure area. Authorities reported numerous injuries, and over 140 police officers were hurt during the riots, marking a day that would resonate throughout the entire political landscape of the nation.

In the aftermath, the incident sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum and led to numerous arrests. Security measures around the Capitol were reassessed, and conversations regarding the implications of misinformation in politics intensified. Lawsuits, investigations, and discussions around the adequacy of the Capitol's security measures followed, highlighting vulnerabilities in the protection of national symbols of democracy.