January 6 U.S. Capitol riot

The January 6 U.S. Capitol riot occurred in 2021 when President Donald Trump's supporters, at his urging, attacked the U.S. Capitol building in an attempt to prevent the U.S. Congress from certifying the electoral votes from the Nov. 2020 presidential election (in which Joe Biden was elected as the next president).

The mob assaulted the Capitol police force, injuring more than 100 of its members before the day was over. A protester, shot by police, died in the chaos after the rioters broke past police lines, broke into the U.S. Capitol building, and attempted to reach senators and congressman either to harm them or hold them as hostages. All the congressional members and staff escaped intact, but only narrowly. After capitol police, assisted by the National Guard and other forces, regained control of the building, Congress held a special session that night to complete the certification of the votes.

President Donald Trump has been deeply criticized for having incited the riot and attempted to interfere illegally in the peaceful transfer of power between presidents, and for having allowed it to continue for several hours until he finally saw that it had failed in its intended purpose, only then issuing a weak message via Twitter urging rioters to go home and saying "I love you" to them.