After the Election Ed Lesson Two — Georgia Senate Runoff and The Capitol

Written by Rachele Terranova, Graphics by Nadia Nugent

Georgia Senate Runoff Election

With the conclusion of the Senate runoff elections in Georgia to fill the remaining seats, the 2020 election circuit is finally over. The appointment of two Democrats to the Senate makes room for a slim majority and lots of opportunities.

Jon Ossoff beat former United States Senate Republican David Perdue and will remain in his seat until a new election in 2027. Reverend Raphael Warnock also beat U.S. Senate Republican Kelly Loeffler for the open seat of Johnny Isakson which she was temporarily holding since January 2020, but will have to defend his seat in 2022 as it will be the end of Isaakson’s term.

We cannot talk about this election without recognizing the dedication of Stacey Abrams and the coalition of black and female organizers who fought for years for fair elections, against voter suppression and to flip Georgia blue. Some of these organizations include Fair Fight Action, New Georgia Project, Pro Georgia and Black Votes Matter Fund.

Who Are They

Jon Ossoff

He is a former aide to Rep. Hank Johnson and National Security staffer in D.C. as well as being the CEO of an investigative journalist group Insight TWI. His platform was built heavily around public healthcare options. He also hopes to invest in clean energy and infrastructure, lower working-class taxes and defend Roe v. Wade for women’s healthcare rights.

Rev. Raphael Warnock

Savannah native and former chair of the New Georgia Project (a voter registration group) and Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, he carries similar platform highlights to Osoff. In addition, he ran on the platform of ending mass incarceration and protecting and growing Georgia’s agriculture economy.

Other matters they hope to fight for Georgians include a $15 minimum wage (opposed to their current $5.15— employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act pay $7.25 Federal minimum wage), canceling student debt, environmental protection and campaign finance reform.

Why They Matter

“Vote Blue Georgia”— You may have heard this at some point over the past couple of months. When someone says they want Georgia to go blue, what they really mean is they hope the majority votes democratic so that the elected senators are representing from that political party. This was a point of contention in this election because of the polarizing possible outcomes.

If Georgia did not “go blue,” that would mean the Republican party and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would still have control over the Senate. A Senate Majority Leader is the chief spokesperson for their party on the legislation passing through. They handle business on the floor to make sure sessions go smoothly along with the Senate Minority Leader, but the Majority Leader holds much more power. They have the power to stop any legislation being considered, and even what gets heard on the floor at all.

Mitch McConnell holds many conservative viewpoints, so he has blocked many progressive actions, including as the vote on a $2,000 stimulus check. This resulted in passing only a $600 stimulus check in the second round of the relief bill.

Now, we have a 50/50 senate of Republicans and Democrats for only the fourth time in history and current Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer will become the new Majority Leader. There are few rules on how a Majority Leader is chosen when the senate is split, but it is thought in this case that it will go to Schumer. He now will hold the power to decide what legislation comes to the Senate floor and subsequently make comments and motions first.

The Capitol

It is necessary and important to discuss what happened at the United States Capitol last week, a day after the Georgia Election. First, here are some key terms to know that are being used around the news. There will be mention of violence and death in the upcoming paragraphs as a result of what transpired last Wednesday, so be aware as you continue. The attack on the nation’s capital was the most damaging of its kind since the War of 1812.

Siege

An operation in which a police or other force surround a building and cut off supplies, with the aim of forcing an armed person to surrender.

Riot

A violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd.

Protest

A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.

Mob

A large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.

Coup

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

Insurrection

A violent uprising against an authority or government.

Loyalist

A person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt.

The Proud Boys

A far-right, neo-fascist and male-only political organization that promotes and engages in political violence in the U.S. and Canada.

White Supremacy

The social, economic and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races.

Domestic Terrorism

Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial or environmental nature.

Terrorist

A person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Extremist

A person who holds extreme or fanatical political or religious views, especially one who resorts to or advocates extreme action.

What Actually Happened

Between the Washington Monument and the White House, Donald Trump held a rally against the results of the election he lost on Wednesday, Jan. 6. What transpired was far from a normal rally, ending in violence, death and a threat to the U.S. Government and people.

There were individuals who attended the rally and at the same time, another group of Trump loyalists was beginning to gather at The Capitol before noon. All of these people were urged by the President to aid him in stopping the certification of the election that Joe Biden won in November. This is reminiscent of the stop the count/count the ballots incident Trump incited when the election results were still being counted as Biden took the lead.

In his speech, Trump once again urged the crowd to take action, this time in walking to the Capitol to “show strength”. Before his speech even concludes, hoards of Trump supporters, including Proud Boys, began their march to a capitol only fortified with a few officers and a fenced perimeter. The individuals were beginning to attempt to break through the fences as a pipe bomb was reported to have been found at the Republican National Committee building and soon after another at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, both of which are in close proximity to the U.S. Capitol.

By 1p.m. the barricade around the building had been breached through violent attacks against the officers protecting it. Simultaneously, the proceedings to certify the Electoral College vote had began by the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with Vice President Mike Pence— this was a joint session of congress. Ted Cruz, Republican Senator from Texas, began his argument against the certification of the electoral votes of Arizona.

Rioters were getting far more ruthless and violent outside of the building as both the rioters and the police utilized chemical agents on the other. Soon, Chief of Capitol Police Steven Sund requested the presence and assistance of the D.C. National Guard. An hour into the clashes with police, scaffolding was being destroyed, the mob was making its way closer to the building entrances and both sides of the building were surrounded.

By 2:10 p.m. the protesters entered the building, some by scaling the side of the building and others through broken windows and doors and the Senate chamber was called into recess. A lone police officer, Eugene Goodman, is touted a hero as he is a Black officer who risked his safety at the hand of rioters (Proud Boys included, known for racist, anti-semitic, white supremacist agendas) as he led them away from the entrance to the chambers. With Senators still inside the chamber, rioters were at a standoff with the limited police presence outside the entrance. Soon the House was also called into recess. While some Congress members make their evacuation, many were stuck inside surrounded by rioters.

Thousands of people, being noted as domestic terrorists, were present outside of the Capitol building from Trump’s rally, and many had made their way inside by beating officers who stood in their way. It took three hours before the building was declared to be secure again, and it wasn’t until around 4:15 p.m. Trump posted a short video on Twitter calling for the insurgents to go home.

Outcomes

The safety and sanctity of the government were overrun on this day. It wasn’t just a looting situation — though offices were ransacked, Pelosi’s files were stolen, her office defiled, and items stolen from the building. People inside and outside the building were badly injured, and five deaths came from the event.

A mirror was held to America. Acknowledgments had to be made that though we hope to distance ourselves from an event such as this, it is not out of character. Domestic terrorists acted upon knowing the white supremacist grasp on the country was slipping. The framework of our nation was built upon this, and as we fight to dismantle the systems of oppression and racism, there are groups such as those present at the Capitol fueled by the words of Trump that will take it as a reason to revolt. This was called on by the President and Republican lawmakers who would not allow for a peaceful transfer of power, and their consistent rhetoric encouraging loyalists not to let it happen.

Privilege was present at the Capitol. Another pillar of the American system we built centuries ago. Video has been released of police in the building taking selfies with the mob once they entered the building. Video has also been released of other Capitol police officers opening barriers and leading the domestic terrorist group towards the building entrances.

It is imperative to understand the stark contrast to the treatment of protestors at Black Lives Matter protests that took place over the summer. More than 95% of those protests were peaceful following the first days of anger and rioting in reaction to the killing of George Floyd. Individuals with a premeditated agenda to take the building on the day of certification sporting anti-Semitic paraphernalia, Nazi symbolism and Confederate flags, with a message of hate and violence were hardly stopped at the Capitol by the feeble police presence while individuals with signs for peace and a message of hope and change for the racist systems of our country were met with hundreds of military-equipped police forces and faced with brutal violence and hundreds of arrests daily.

It is hard to ignore that while the platform these same groups present at the siege of the Capitol (such as MAGA extremists and the Proud Boys) is built on the protection of our country and law enforcement, Blue Lives Matter, and denouncing the Black Lives Matter protests for looting and rioting all the while using looting and rioting as the exact framework that made up their operation on Wednesday. Not to mention, they showed no mercy or peaceful encounters towards the police they say they claim to stand for once faced with pushback on their agenda.

Arrests and Deaths

A total of five people died from the event. One police officer was attacked by rioters, a woman who came as part of the riot was shot and three others who faced medical emergencies during the event. 56 additional officers were injured, two of were hospitalized.

The Capitol Police only made 14 arrests while escorting many of the rioters out of the building to walk free. Maryland Police Department arrested 68 additional rioters.

Two pipe bombs and six firearms were also recovered.

This attempted coup of the U.S. Government resulted in fewer arrests and consequences than one peaceful protest on a single day in D.C.

Administration Resignations

Members of Trump’s administration have announced their stepping down following the Capitol insurgence. Officials began resigning just hours after the attack. They are as follows —

Betsy DeVos, Education Secretary

Elaine Chao, Transportation Secretary

Mick Mulvaney, Former Acting Chief of Staff, special envoy to Northern Ireland

Matthew Pottinger, Deputy National Security Adviser

John Costello, Senior Cybersecurity Official

Tyler Goodspeed, Acting Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers

Stephanie Grisham, Former White House Press Secretary, Chief of Staff to Melania Trump

Rickie Niceta, Social Secretary

Sarah Matthews, Deputy White House Press Secretary

Elinore F. McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Eric S. Dreiband, Leader of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division

Five National Security Council officials:

Rob Greenway, Senior Director for Middle Eastern and North African ffairs

Anthony Ruggiero, Senior Director for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Biodefense

Ryan Tully, Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs

Mark Vandroff, Senior Director for Defense Policy

Erin Walsh, Senior Director for African Affairs

What’s Next

Removal of Republican Lawmakers

Immediately following the attack, Democratic lawmakers got to work on two items of business. First of which is House Judiciary member Cori Bush’s call for the expulsion of GOP members of Congress that are seen to be complicit in the incitement of the attack on the capitol. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Ayanna Pressley. In addition, fellow progressives including Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib have also called for the same action. The resolution calls on the House Ethics Committee “to investigate, and issue a report on, whether any and all actions were taken by members of the 117th Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution or the rules of the House of Representatives, and should face sanction, including removal.”

You can read Bush’s full resolution here: https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20445930-rep-bush_resolution-condemning-republican-efforts-to-overturn-election.

Impeachment

In Bush’s statement against the Republicans complicit in the inciting of the attack, she also called for the immediate impeachment of the President and his removal from office. Omar also immediately called for his impeachment after the attack and began drawing up the Articles of Impeachment. Once he is impeached by the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate can remove him from office.

There are several major driving forces in calling for his impeachment. First, to remove him from office in order to avoid any immediate danger in the coming weeks leading up to Biden’s inauguration. The second is precedent. The members of Congress are aiming to fulfill their oath and that means impeaching Presidents who don’t serve as a president should. Next, should he be impeached, members of the House can keep him from running again. Lastly, as stipulated by McConnell, he believes it will be easier to purge the Republican Party of Trump’s stronghold should he be impeached.

The House already voted to approve a resolution that would be able to remove Trump through the 25th Amendment, but Pence has made it impossible to pass and he is necessary to do so.

Today, Jan. 13, the House is set to vote on one article of impeachment, “incitement of insurrection.” The House has a Democratic majority, as well as the votes of at least five Republicans who stated their interest in voting for the impeachment. Not only is this an unprecedented second impeachment of a president, but the vote is now bipartisan. This is a hopeful sign the measure will pass. This then moves the article to the Senate. McConnell has not made a statement on how the Senate plans to vote, but with a Republican majority at the moment since the Georgia senators are not yet sworn in, there’s no knowing quite yet what will happen.

How to Help

In the wake of the attack on the capitol, D.C. residents are facing heightened hardships. Here are places to donate if you can (whether it be food, money, services, etc.)

Ongiong Mutual Aid for DC Frontliners and Activists

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ongoing-mutual-aid-for-dc-frontlines

Fuel the People

https://www.fuelthepeople.com/

Remora House D.C.

https://www.instagram.com/remorahouse_dc/

Kyanite Kitchen

https://www.instagram.com/kyanite.kitchen/?hl=en

D.C. Fridge Collective

https://www.instagram.com/dcfridgecollective/?hl=en

Casa Ruby LGBT Center

https://casaruby.org/