Sign in front of Capitol Building that says ''Impeach and remove''

(Almost) Everything That’s Happened In the Wake of the Capitol Riot

Last week, rioters incited to violence by President Trump stormed the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the electoral college votes affirming President-elect Joe Biden’s victory -- resulting in the death of five people, including a Capitol Police officer. Here’s what’s happened since then.

Government:

25th Amendment: Yesterday the House passed a measure formally urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, which would remove President Trump from office. Regardless, Pence still has the ultimate authority on whether to proceed, and he has said that he will not.
Resignations: Several members of the Trump administration have resigned in the past week, including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Impeachment: House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against Trump, accusing him of the high crime of “inciting violence against the Government of the United States.” The vote is happening later today, and at the time of publication, House Democrats and at least a few Republicans have said they’re in favor of impeachment.

TAKE ACTION: Have thoughts on how Congress should respond to last week's assault on our Capitol? Use this tool to find and contact your representatives.

Law Enforcement:

Arrests: The Justice Department has begun arresting people on federal charges in connection with the riot, including the son of a Brooklyn judge and an infamous QAnon influencer. Many of those arrested were identified based on social media posts of the deadly riot.
Resignation: Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund resigned following last week’s violence. He has since revealed that he requested back-up from the National Guard ahead of the planned pro-Trump gathering, but was denied by House and Senate security officials and a top Pentagon commander.
Suspension: Two Capitol Police officers have been suspended pending further investigation. One took a selfie with rioters as they stormed the building, and the other donned a MAGA hat and started directing people around the building. More than a dozen other officers are also under investigation.

TAKE ACTION: Ask Congress to investigate white supremacist infiltration of Capitol Police. Sign the petition.

Social Media:

Trump Banned: Trump has been permanently suspended by many social media platforms who fear he may use them to further incite violence. He’s been restricted by Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube, Reddit, and several others.

QAnon Bans: Platforms are also cracking down on accounts that spread content about QAnon, a system of dangerous and fervently followed conspiracy theories that helped fuel the violence at the Capitol last week.

Parler: The right-wing app favored by pro-Trump loyalists has been kicked from the Apple and Google app stores, as well as Amazon’s web hosting services. It may have a new home with web host Epik, and a lawsuit against Amazon is on the way.

TAKE ACTION: Platforms have a responsibility not to enable extremism and white nationalism. Demand that the payment service Stripe cut ties with fundraising platform GiveSendGo and shut down cash flow to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Add your name.

Security:

State Capitols: State Capitols and other governmental buildings are bracing for more action, many of which have already been targeted since last week. Demonstrators have shown up to the Georgia Capitol, Idaho Statehouse, and the governor’s mansion in Washington.

Inauguration: The Secret Service and other officials are planning for increased security at Biden’s inauguration on January 20. Some far-right extremist groups have been talking about their plans to target the Inauguration online.

TAKE ACTION: It’s natural to feel stressed, scared, or overwhelmed in light of this deadly event. Here’s how you can practice self-care when the news is terrifying.

ICYMI… Colorado’s Attorney General has opened a grand jury investigation into the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain, who was choked by police on his way home from a convenience store in 2019.

Why aren’t more people talking about… how significant it was that the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream endorsed Rev. Raphael Warnock in the Senate run-offs?

Meanwhile, in the Dominican Republic… the country has outlawed child marriage after years of campaigning from girls’ rights activists.

My hero today is… 5-year-old Aryana Chopra who hand wrote New Year’s cards for every resident of her local nursing home (over 200 cards!).

My *other* heroes today are… siblings Hita and Divit Gupta, who have delivered hundreds of care packages, tablets, phones, masks, and letters to seniors in their community.

This week in Black joy… this family won a million dollars on New Years Eve and this UPS driver was honored by his community.

Today in viral cuteness… apparently dogs can climb ladders????

I’m obsessed with… the Minecraft server my friends and I have just started. Here’s our most recent build: the llama stable.