Was the Occupation of the Capitol Yesterday an Act of Sedition?

[Wandering Monk]

Its not a word that I use everyday, so I don't know for sure. They were clearly trespassing. Some were damaging property. Some were looting. Some were only protesting. Many were conspiring to do something such as either delay Congress, change its mind, create an excuse for a coup or something like that. Its case by case. I suspect 'Conspiracy' is the worst charge most will face not 'Sedition'.

They also prevented Congress from doing its lawful duty of counting the Electoral votes. Clearly sedition.

or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof,​

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Guys, can’t you see this whole thing was a huge miscommunication?

Probably the biggest miscommunication in history. Thousands of Trump’s biggest fans attacked the Capitol even though he made it 100% crystal clear he didn’t want them to do that under any circumstances.

Boy, are their faces red!

Can you imagine? He said one thing, yet somehow, thousands heard the opposite. Maybe the sound system wasn’t working?

 

[Mr Spinkles]

It seems that Trump still thinks it was stolen and that they are many who still agree with him. Anyone who censures people because of an opinion is unworthy to claim an opinion of his own.

He’s not censured for the view the election was stolen. He’s removed from Twitters platform for inciting violence in context. Lying about the election being stolen is one part of a toxic brew of messages which notably contains very little emphasis on the importance of being peaceful. I don’t think Ashli Babbit would have stormed the Capitol if Trump, her idol, had very clearly and forcefully said this was a peaceful raising of voices rather than a “fight” to prevent Mike Pence from recognizing Biden.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Guys, can’t you see this whole thing was a huge miscommunication?

Probably the biggest miscommunication in history. Thousands of Trump’s biggest fans attacked the Capitol even though he made it 100% crystal clear he didn’t want them to do that under any circumstances.

Boy, are their faces red!

Can you imagine? He said one thing, yet somehow, thousands heard the opposite. Maybe the sound system wasn’t working?

I'd have to say definitely that these folks believed that what they were doing would make a difference. How did they get that opinion? Did they perhaps feel that the president would back them up? Congress? Who?

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I'd have to say definitely that these folks believed that what they were doing would make a difference. How did they get that opinion? Did they perhaps feel that the president would back them up? Congress? Who?

Well Trump said he would be with them and he would never concede.

Then he stayed home and the next day, conceded.

I bet if he had told them the truth that he was going to do that, they would have committed fewer felonies. It just might not have been worth it. Just a thought.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Well Trump said he would be with them and he would never concede.

Then he stayed home and the next day, conceded.

I bet if he had told them the truth that he was going to do that, they would have committed fewer felonies. It just might not have been worth it. Just a thought.

In that case is it true that they have committed felonies? Perhaps they thought they were deputized?

 

[Mr Spinkles]

In that case is it true that they have committed felonies? Perhaps they thought they were deputized?

Trump said the election was being “stolen” and that “different rules apply” when something is being stolen. There was also a sense of urgency because he said “if Mike Pence does the right thing we win”, and Congress was about to go into session, and Trump said we “can’t let that happen”.

So in their minds I’m sure they thought they were restoring law instead of breaking it, saving democracy instead of attacking it.

Having said that, if felonies weren’t committed, how can anything be a felony? I’m no legal expert but bashing Capitol Police to death with a fire extinguisher to stop the lawful transition of power at the Capitol building when the entire Congress is in session ... that FEELS like something that ought to be a felony.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Trump said the election was being “stolen” and that “different rules apply” when something is being stolen. There was also a sense of urgency because he said “if Mike Pence does the right thing we win”, and Congress was about to go into session, and Trump said we “can’t let that happen”.

So in their minds I’m sure they thought they were restoring law instead of breaking it, saving democracy instead of attacking it.

Having said that, if felonies weren’t committed, how can anything be a felony?

I'm not sure they they think that, but if they do and it creates reasonable doubt about their intentions and why there were storming the building then they may be able to get the charges dropped or convince a jury. Its entirely possible that they have been paid or are just troublemakers like that guy with the horns. If they have been paid to storm the building then that makes them absolutely guilty, but if they were fooled then they are less so.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Well Trump said he would be with them and he would never concede.

Then he stayed home and the next day, conceded.

I bet if he had told them the truth that he was going to do that, they would have committed fewer felonies. It just might not have been worth it. Just a thought.

I commented without enough understanding of what happened. They didn't just break in. They used abusive language, racist slurs, attacked the police, too. They did things that can't be construed as deputized by any standard, and they deserve to be punished.

 

[McBell]

U.S. Capitol rioters want pardons, arguing Trump invited them in

‘I Answered the Call of My President’: Rioters Say Trump Urged Them On

 

[Martin]

Looks like a veritable smorgasbords of charges that could be brought.

I think the main charge against Trump in the impeachment was inciting insurrection?

 

[Wandering Monk]

I think the main charge against Trump in the impeachment was inciting insurrection?

I was referring to charges against the rioters.