January 6 United States Capitol attack facts for kids

Quick facts for kids January 6 United States Capitol attack
Part of the 2020–21 United States election protests and attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election
Top to bottom, left to right: crowds gathered outside of the Capitol; Donald Trump speaking to supporters at the "Save America" rally; tear gas being deployed against protesters outside the Capitol Building
Date	January 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)
Location	United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., United States 38°53′23.3″N 77°00′32.6″W / 38.889806°N 77.009056°W / 38.889806; -77.009056
Caused by	Opposition to the results of the 2020 United States presidential election Trump's false claims of election and voter fraud Trump's incitement of his supporters to fight and physically disrupt the Electoral College vote count
Goals	Disrupt, delay, and change the Electoral College vote count in Trump's favor Capture and destroy the certificates of ascertainment of the Electoral College votes Pressure Congress and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results in favor of Trump and decertify former vice president Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 United States presidential election Ransack, vandalize, and overrun the United States Capitol building Summary execution of Vice President Mike Pence Summary execution of Congressional members Take Congress hostage
Methods	Rioting, vandalism, looting, assault, shootings, arson, and attempted bombings
Resulted in	Attempts to overturn election results in favor of Trump failed Damage to United States Capitol property, including vandalism and looting of offices and chambers Delay of counting electoral votes by several hours Resignations of Trump administration officials Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Chief of the Council of Economic Advisers Tyler Goodspeed Chief of Staff to the First Lady Stephanie Grisham White House Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Mick Mulvaney Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger Resignations of Capitol security officials Chief of the Capitol Police Steven Sund Sergeant at Arms of the Senate Michael C. Stenger Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives Paul D. Irving Installation of new security fencing around the Capitol and heightened security measures Suspensions of Donald Trump's social media accounts Efforts to remove Donald Trump from office
Casualties and arrests
Death(s)	5 dead 4 rioters 1 police officer
Injuries	Unknown number of rioters injured, at least 5 rioters hospitalized 56 officers injured
Arrested	80+ rioters arrested

On the afternoon of Wednesday, January 6, 2021, thousands of supporters of then-U.S President Donald Trump were in Washington, D.C. to protest against the results of the 2020 presidential election. They went in to support Trump's demand for Vice President Mike Pence and Congress to reject President-elect Joe Biden's victory. The protests soon became riots as thousands of Trump supporters broke into the United States Capitol, damaging the building.

Rally

First, protesters came to the Ellipse for a planned rally. There, Rudy Giuliani called for "trial by combat," then later, Donald Trump told his supporters to march to the United States Capitol "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard today."

Storming of the Capitol

The Trump supporters broke into the Capitol. Congress was in session at the time. All congressmen, lobbyists, news reporters, visitors and Vice President Mike Pence were evacuated to a secure location.

The attack on the Capitol has been referred to as domestic terrorism.

During the attack, several rioters carried Confederate battle flags or Nazi symbols. For the first time in U.S. history, a Confederate battle flag was flying inside the U.S. Capitol building.

Aftermath

Trump responded to the storming by writing messages on Twitter. In a video, he told protesters: "This was a fraudulent election, but we can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home and go home in peace." In another message, he wrote: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long." He continued: "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"

5 people died during or shortly after the event: four rioters and one police officer. Fifteen police officers were sent to the hospital, and more than 50 were injured.

Reactions

Trump was impeached for a second time because of this attack. Some people even wanted Vice President Pence to use the twenty-fifth amendment to remove Trump from office.

The House of Representatives formed a committee, the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, to investigate the attack and recommend changes that would prevent such an event from happening in the future.

Prison sentences for protesters

More than 750 people were charged with crimes because of the Capitol attack. More than 200 of these people pleaded guilty, meaning that they agreed not to have trials in exchange for smaller punishments.

Prison sentences have been as long as 22 years (in prison).

Sentences since 2023:

• 18 years in prison; Stewart Rhodes is one of the founders of Oath Keepers.
• 17 years in prison; Joe Biggs was a leader of the Proud Boys [a group of activists].
• 22 years in prison; Enrique Tarrio was a leader of the Proud Boys.

Related pages

• 2023 invasion of the Brazilian Congress (inspired by the Capitol attack)

See also

In Spanish: Asalto al Capitolio de los Estados Unidos de 2021 para niños