By Rebecca Shan ‘23, Feature Writer

We entered the new year with hopes for normalcy and unity; however, immediately in the first week of 2021, we were confronted with the Capitol Hill pro-Trump riots. These riots demonstrated years of partisanship and disinformation, ultimately causing the radical right to erupt into violence. 

On January 6th, 2021, far-right Trump supporters stormed the capitol, brandishing weapons and bearing hate symbols to overturn the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. The riots at Capital Hill were largely incited by President Trump’s commands during his rally. The shocking images of white mobs able to cause break into such a revered and powerful building angered Americans. The storming of the U.S. Capitol not only demonstrated national divisions but also exemplified the issue of COVID-19. Events at Capitol Hill blatantly highlighted the Trump administration and other politicians straying away from democracy though disinformation and promotion of extremism, as demonstrated by the nation’s handling of the coronavirus.

The D.C. riots were classified as super-spreading events. Similar concerns of spreading COVID-19 were raised about the Black Lives Matters protests, but those were not considered superspreaders because they took place outdoors and the vast majority of protestors wore masks. By contrast, many pro-Trump rioters did not wear masks and they were indoors yelling and chanting, creating opportunties for the virus to spread. After President Trump refused to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 guidelines for months, he spread disinformation on COVID-19, politicizing the deadly virus and causing his followers to not follow guidelines. At the worst point in the pandemic, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield cautioned that the riots were a surge event where rioters brought the virus into the Capitol and then spread it to others and their communities across America. These large gatherings are against COVID-19 guidelines and have national consequences. Already nine representatives, including Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, have tested positive for the coronavirus following the Capitol Hill siege; these representatives are angered by their Republican colleagues refusing to wear masks in Congress and furthering the spread of the coronavirus. House Democrats now plan on creating a system to fine Congress members who refuse to wear a mask.

After the destruction, Congress reconvened and confirmed Biden’s victory. In response to the riots and fourteen days before his inauguration, Biden tweeted, “America is so much better than what we’re seeing today.” His tweet was commended but also challenged by people who believe America was systematically built along divisions. We are the same America with the same system of disinformation along with white supremacy and the new year doesn’t change that. As Democrats used Biden’s inauguration to fuel their hope for a new and improved 2021, recent events exposed how deeply rooted disinformation and extremism are along with other issues; the election of a Democratic president may not be the solution after all. Our nation’s future depends on if we as a country can reconcile and be united and restore trust in our government.