Wednesday’s riot at the US Capitol — and the path ahead from it — are still being discussed after four people died, over a dozen law enforcement officers were hurt, better than 50 people were arrested and serious questions remain about what the purpose was behind the violence.
Emporia State Political Science Professor Michael Smith called Wednesday’s riot at the US Capitol a “failed coup by way of conspiracy theory.” The leader of Lyon County’s Republican Party, Peggy Mast, says it was a riot but was not an attempt at political subversion — at least as currently portrayed by national media.
During an interview with KVOE News on Thursday, Smith said the hundreds of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol following a speech went well beyond a normal protest.
In a separate interview, Mast says there were people concerned about the possible “stealing” of the presidential election so Joe Biden could take office, but she says a fair amount of participants were part of antifa and a developing Marxist movement.
Mast’s claims have not been confirmed.
Several Republican officials at the state level and Trump-appointed judges challenged Trump’s assertion the election was rigged or stolen, whether through certifying election results or either not hearing or throwing out court cases. Mast says peer or political pressure may have contributed to a less-than-unanimous Republican response, and she feels the nation is currently adrift.
Smith says there was a heavy QAnon presence, or far-right conspiracy theory supporters, as indicated some of the apparel worn, and he says a lot of people believe there was no way Trump lost unless the election was rigged. Smith says Wednesday’s riot indicates there is little to no buy-in from many Republicans about the election results, but he believes the premise that a formal audit would counteract the conspiracy theory “is absurd” because objections always come in faster than they can be resolved.
Smith also says Wednesday’s events indicate an authoritarian presence is now part of the political landscape and may remain for some time.
Mast, meanwhile, says Wednesday’s events have less to do with the traditional political parties and more to do with the direction of the country. She also believes Wednesday’s violence likely won’t be a major issue in political circles down the road.
The possibility of sedition, where somebody is criminally charged for inciting people to rebel against the current authority, and the possibility of Trump’s removal under Article 25 of the Constitution are being discussed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for use of the 25th Amendment — or impeachment — on Thursday.
In affirming Democrat Joe Biden as President-elect Thursday, Republican Senator Roger Marshall strengthened his condemnation of Wednesday’s violence, saying people who participated were responsible for “despicable” acts and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Find KVOE News’ interview with Lyon County Republican Party Chair Peggy Mast below.
Find KVOE News’ interview with Emporia State professor Michael Smith below.
