How and Why a Violent Mob Attacked the Capitol Building

FEATURING ERIC WARD – The nation, media, and elected officials were stunned this week after a violent mob of extremists on Wednesday breached the barricades of the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the results of the election, and invaded the Senate and House chambers. Masses of white nationalists adorned with Trump and MAGA clothing and flags cheerfully scaled the walls, broke windows, vandalized the chambers, stole items, and revealed in their insistence against all evidence that Donald Trump won reelection. But for those who have been closely following the trajectory of armed rightwing violence and its links to Trump were not surprised.

Eric Ward, senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Executive Director of the Western States Center.