NEWSWEEK.COM 47
another video of Senators returning to the
Capitol through underground passageways.
The video shows a diverse crew of police
and federal ofɿcers accompanying them,
with dozens of different colors of uniforms
and various types, some in regular
uniforms, some in special ops black gear,
some in camouʀage tactical gear, some
carrying weapons, some dressed in suits,
some in normal civilian clothes with ʀak
jackets over polo shirts and jeans.
Identiɿable are USCP, DC police, FBI and
U.S. Secret Service.
7:36 PM: Acting Secretary Miller gives
voice approval for '2' to lease ft non-
scalable fences. for the Capitol and Mall
7:37 PM: )ormer 'efense Secretary -im
Mattis blames President Trump for the
violence at the Capitol. Mattis says the
violence was fomented by Trump, who
has used the presidency “to destroy trust
in our election and to poison our respect
for fellow citi]ens.” +is written statement
concluded, “ 2 ur Constitution and our
Republic will overcome this stain and We
7:55 PM: Tan of The Washington Post
tweets “ Now we see hundreds of
law enforcement ofɿcersŜ*uards-
men, )BI, MP'. This is more reminis-
cent of the summer B/M protests.”7:56 PM: A statement from former Presi-
dent Barack 2 bama is released “IŠve been
heartened to see many members of the
PresidentŠs party speak up forcefully today...
We need more leaders like theseŜright
now and in the days, weeks, and months
ahead as President-elect Biden works to
restore a common purpose to our politics...”7:58 PM: (rin Schaff off The New York
Times tweets “The Senate is back in the
Capitol, now with armed federal guards.”7:58 PM: (lijah Schaffer of The Blaze
tweets “While some reports say Antifa was
present, and it is possible anarchists would
take advantage or encourage a situation
like this. Most of the violence appeared
to come from strong, heated young men
police. I also spoke to a 'C Antifa
organi]er he denied their presence.”
“IMP 2 RTANT I witnessed the start
violent escalation of the Capitol building
siege. Reports that all the violence was
started by Antifa comes from people who
either naive or donŠt reali]e how frustrat-
ed many Trump supporters are. <ou canŠt
blame Antifa for every violent clash.”the People will come together again in our
never-ending effort to form a more perfect
8 nion, while Mr. Trump will deserved-
ly be left a man without a country.”7:41 PM: Steven Nelson of the New York
Post tweets an interview with a protestor
from Brooklyn. +e said he came to Wash-
ington because “the election was stolen.”
“We were cheated. I donŠt think 5 million
people voted for TrumpŜI think it was close
to 5 million,” the protester, who gave the
name Aaron, told the Post while standing
inside the Capitol building. “I think certain
states that have been red for a long time
turned blue and were stolen, like New <ork.”
+e added, “>I did it@ to express
my opinion as a free American
that this election was stolen.”7:43 PM: Sarah )erris of Politico tweets
“Sense of normalcy returning in the
+ouse. Press has been escorted back
to our desks, thanks to very hardwork-
ing Cap police and gallery staff.”7:43 PM: Stephanie *risham, ɿrst ladyŠs
Melania TrumpŠs chief of staff and former
White +ouse press secretary, resigns.7:44 PM: Burgess (verett of Politico
tweets “ 2 K...now the Capitol is secure”7:45 PM: A statement from former Presi-
dent Bill Clinton is released “I have always
believed that America is made up of good,
decent people. I still do. If thatŠs who we
really are, we must reject todayŠs violence,
turn the page, and move forward together...”7:48 PM: Mayor Bowser and Acting
Police Chief Contee provide a situational
update. The mayor says “I urge any-
one who is not in place in your home or
your hotel...If you mean to cause trouble
in the streets of Washington '.C., you
will be arrested. The 'C Police 'epart-
ment will enforce tonightŠs curfew.”7:49 PM: Rebecca Tan of The Washing-
ton Post tweets “Nearly two hours past
curfew, ofɿcers are making arrests on the
west side of the Capitol. *uardsmen are
here, along with at least police buses.”7:51 PM: Sen. -eff Merkley '- 2 R
tweets and post pictures of Senators
returning to the Capitol building.