They stormed the Capitol to overturn the results of an election they didn't vote in
Source: CNN
To determine who voted in November, CNN obtained voting records for more than 80 of the initial arrestees. Most voted in the presidential election, and while many were registered Republicans, a handful were registered as Democrats in those jurisdictions that provided party information -- though who someone votes for is not publicly disclosed. Public access to voter history records varies by state, and CNN was unable to view the records of some of those charged.
Among those who didn't vote were a 65-year-old Georgia man who, according to government documents, was found in his van with a fully-loaded pistol and ammunition, and a Louisiana man who publicly bragged about spending nearly two hours inside the Capitol after attending Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally. Another was a 21-year-old woman from Missouri who prosecutors say shared a video on Snapchat that showed her parading around with a piece of a wooden sign from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office. And a Florida man previously convicted of attempted murder who was accused by the government of refusing to leave the Capitol likely did not have the option to cast a ballot because of his unpaid court fines.
Jessica Stern, a Boston University professor who has spent around 30 years researching extremists, said that while she hasn't spoken with the individuals involved in the events at the Capitol, from her interviews with other violent extremists, she believes a number of factors could have been at play. They could have believed the system was rigged, as the "Stop the Steal" movement claims, in which case there would be no point in voting. They could be more attracted to the theater, violence or attention they would get from a demonstration like the one at the Capitol than to actually achieving their purported goal -- in this case, different election results.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/us/capitol-rioters-non-voters-invs/index.html
LeftInTX
(25,300 posts)Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)I don't know if they really even care about the politics.
PatSeg
(47,419 posts)Bored, restless people looking for some action and for many, any cause might do. I've witnessed guys in neighborhood bars who looked for any excuse to get into some kind of fight. Years ago, I tended bar on a New Year's Eve and a fight started between two guys and within minutes the entire bar was throwing punches at anyone for no particular reason. It was so bizarre as I'd never seen anything quite like it before, though I had been told it was quite common.
Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)PatSeg
(47,419 posts)they would have found something else, but in this circumstance, they found something really big, with lots of participants, and instigated by the President of the United States. Unlike, a neighborhood brawl, this was historic.
I remember seeing a video of one guy leaving the Capitol saying, "I'm going to go get a beer and come back." No thought of consequences whatsoever, just a bunch of guys raising a little hell.
Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)Exactly, if it weren't Trump and the election they would find something else to fight about.
Right, they just want to raise some hell.
PatSeg
(47,419 posts)let off some steam, break a few windows, and go home to sleep it off."
I've seen this kind of behavior primarily in men, but I've known my share of women brawlers as well. After a few drinks, they'll pick a fight with anyone because of a look or perceived attitude. It is evidently an adrenaline rush.
Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)It was a giant lark for these guys. Except people were killed and they broke federal laws.
So their fun is going to come at a high price.
PatSeg
(47,419 posts)some people are going to go to jail, many will lose their jobs, and the whole world knows what they did.
Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)They had every intention of attacking the United States of America, and killing
people in our government.
The greatest injustice here is that none of them will get the hanging, or bullet, they deserve.
Irish_Dem
(47,014 posts)Some were deadly assassins. Others were drunk boys having fun.
Others were intent on taking over the government.
I wonder what they would have done when they took it over?
RobinA
(9,888 posts)are nil. Not much chance running over an IED in the halls of Congress
Nitram
(22,794 posts)fraudulent before it even took place probably significantly depressed the conservative vote, and 2) Most of these guys don't believe in democracy. They are anarchists.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)about those who don't vote because they don't believe in the system is getting short shrift. That's very common, especially among radicals.
No one has ever accused Senator Sanders of not being interested in politics, but he only voted for the first time -- for himself -- when he ran for office (and he couldn't win). It wasn't until much later that he was able to vote for himself for an office he could win. Before then, for whatever reasons, through the 60s and 70s he apparently didn't feel either of the parties that would win elections offered anything to vote for or against. Nevertheless, we know he was always ardently committed to his beliefs.
Bayard
(22,063 posts)onetexan
(13,040 posts)Had nothing to do & decided to go overthrow the govt looking for trouble. I call that terrorism.