SBHS Senior Supports Accountability for the Capitol

On Jan. 6, 2021 at the encouragement of former president Trump, thousands of protesters stormed the Capitol and stopped the Electoral College vote count. 

Many Americans watched in horror on live television and social media as rioters scaled walls, beat Capitol police officers with flags and fire extinguishers, broke windows, breaking down doors, trashing Senate offices. SBHS senior Liam Waite, 18, was one of those. 

Many in the crowd at the Capitol breached police perimeters and stormed the building, occupying, vandalizing, and looting for hours. Waite believes that this terrifying event at the Capitol was not originally planned to take place at the start of campaigning back in November 2020.  He believes that former President Trump continuously fueled these lies that he spread to the supporters of the election being rigged. 

 “I feel like these Trump supporters were more forced than willingly to commit this crime,” saidWaite.

Due to these lies Waite believes that Trump supporters became frustrated by the false information on the election being rigged that they decided to take this issue into their own hands. 

 “I believe that Former President Trump should be held accountable for his actions,” said Waite.

Multiple guards, that apparently were Trump supporters, proceeded to let the mob of the rioters and protestors into the Capitol Building. During the breach, the rioters beat, trampled and blugeoned the guards. A few officers died and some committed suicide after the fact. There were not enough to defend against thousands of rioters.

“The remaining officers took care of the situation in a well calmly matter,” said Waite.

 He feels that the government is doing a fantastic job on capturing protesters involved in the situation of the riot on the Capitol Building.