Violent protesters, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
In a nation united in shock over the breach of the U.S. Capitol, but divided in its views of the cause and significance of the chaos, many Trump supporters are unsure of what’s next for their president and their party.
Nearly all of the numerous Trump voters CPR News spoke to in the days after the chaos denounced the violence in Washington, D.C., describing the images as sad and disturbing.
“I had reasons for voting for him, even though he disgusts me. But now I cannot wait for him to leave,” said Krista Kafer of the president. She’s a columnist for The Denver Post and lives in Littleton. “In my mind, he went from a bad person with some good policies and some good people around him, to simply a bad person.”
The counting of Electoral College votes in Congress on Wednesday devolved into chaos as pro-Trump extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Republican Senator James Lankford was on the floor objecting to the counting of the vote when the Capitol building was put on lockdown.
#BREAKING: Senators pause Electoral College debate amid Capitol Hill protests.
Aide to Sen. James Lankford: Protesters are in the building. pic.twitter.com/GNOCrtpAuN
You can hear an aide telling Lankford protesters were in the building.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma Republican Congressman Markwayne Mullin told ABC News he witnessed a shooting. That person who came through the door, you know, I was right there when they came to the door and when that person got shot. And it’s a tragic situation that took place, Mullin said.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Rep. Jason Crow and other members of Congress shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
What We Know
An insurrection led by a Pro-Trump mob interrupted a joint session of Congress gathered to count and validate the results of the 2020 presidential election. Watch live coverage from PBS NewsHour here.
What is traditionally a quick ceremonial affair was already expected to unfold in a drawn-out spectacle this time. Colorado GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert and Doug Lamborn joined a small group of Republicans to challenge the results, despite no proven evidence of widespread voter fraud.