IT’S OVER: At 3:41 a.m., still reeling from a dark day in which pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, overwhelmed the vastly outnumbered Capitol police, pillaged lawmaker’s offices, and forced members to flee or hide, Congress certified Joe Biden as the winner of the Electoral College vote 306-232.
The violence and vandalism left four people dead, including an Air Force veteran, and appeared to galvanize Republicans and Democrats alike to quickly dispatch with objections to the certification process that President Trump was banking on to overturn the election result and subvert the will of the people.
“To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins, and this is still the people’s house,” said Vice President Mike Pence last night as he gaveled the Senate back in session after a six-hour delay. Pence made clear he had no intention of carrying out Trump’s demand that he reject electors from battleground states, saying that “in the wake of unprecedented violence and vandalism,” the Congress would “support and defend the Constitution.”
WHERE WAS THE NATIONAL GUARD? As America and the world watched the mayhem at the Capitol, many had the same question: Where was the National Guard support for police that had been requested by Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser?
The embarrassing security failure at the Capitol resulted in finger-pointing at the Pentagon, which insisted it fulfilled Bower’s request, which the Washington Examiner’s Abraham Mahshie reports was initially for several hundred unarmed Guard troops to serve in a strict crowd and traffic control capacity.
But as the protest turned ugly and spun out of control, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller had urgent phone consultations with Pence and congressional leaders Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Steny Hoyer.
“We have fully activated the D.C. National Guard to assist federal and local law enforcement as they work to peacefully address the situation,” Miller said in a statement. “Our people are sworn to defend the constitution and our democratic form of government and they will act accordingly.”
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman denied that the Pentagon delayed or denied any request from the D.C. government. “Earlier this week, Mayor Bowser requested approximately 340 D.C. National Guardsmen to assist D.C. police in preparation for possible protests today. That request was approved,” Hoffman said in a later statement. “Today, the mayor requested the full activation of the D.C. Guard to support local and federal law enforcement as they respond to the situation at the Capitol. That request was approved. There have been no other requests from the D.C. government.”
TRUMP’S GRUDGING NON-CONCESSION: Facing blowback over the violence many accused him of fomenting, Trump, who had been temporarily suspended from Twitter and Facebook, this morning pledged to leave office Jan. 20 when Biden is sworn-in.
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said, according to CNN. “I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.”
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A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY: The events at the Capitol, and the president’s role in riling up the mob with false claims of a stolen election, provoked an outpouring of bipartisan condemnation from all sides.
Here’s but a sample:
McCONNELL: “The United States Senate will not be intimidated. We will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats. We will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation … The United States and the United States Congress have faced down much greater threats than the unhinged crowd we saw today. We’ve never been deterred before, and we’ll not be deterred today. They tried to disrupt our democracy, they failed.” Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
SCHUMER: “Unfortunately we can now add January 6, 2021, to that very short list of dates in American history that will live forever in infamy. This temple to democracy was desecrated, it’s windows smashed, our offices vandalized … I want to be very clear, those who performed these reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters. No, these were rioters and insurrectionists, goons and thugs, domestic terrorists. They do not represent America. There were a few thousand violent extremists who tried to take over the Capitol building and attack our democracy.” Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
McCARTHY: “What happened today was not right. It was un-American, and to me, it was the worst of America … As the Capitol was being overrun, I called the president, and I talked to the president. I explained to him what was going on right now. And I asked him to go and speak to the American public, speak to these individuals, and tell them to stop.” House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
ROMNEY: “Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy.” Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
BIDEN: “What we’re seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent. It’s disorder. It’s chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end now … The words of a president matter, no matter how good or bad that president is. At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite … To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks, on the Capitol, on — the House of Representatives, threatening the safety of duly elected officials, it’s not protest. It’s insurrection.” President-elect Joe Biden.
MATTIS: “Today’s violent assault on our Capitol, an effort to subjugate American democracy by mob rule, was fomented by Mr. Trump. His use of the Presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens has been enabled by pseudo political leaders whose names will live in infamy as profiles in cowardice.” Former Defense Secretary retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis.
ESPER: “This afternoon’s assault on the U.S. Capitol was appalling and un-American. This is not how citizens of the world’s greatest and oldest democracy behave. The perpetrators who committed this illegal act were inspired by partisan misinformation and patently false claims about the election. This must end now for the good of the republic.” Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
DUNFORD: “I believe our leaders who have continued to undermine a peaceful transition in accordance with our Constitution have set the conditions for today’s violence. This is an outrageous assault on our democracy and a sad day for our nation. It’s time for all Americans and particularly our elected officials to put our country first. As many have said, we’re better than this.” Former Joint Chiefs Chairman retired Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford.
DEMPSEY: “What America looked like today. Ugly. And how sad that we have to confront the fact we may be no better than countries we often criticize. But despite all of that we still can be. 535 members of the House and Senate can make that choice for us. Hopefully.” Former Joint Chiefs Chairman retired Army Gen. Martin Dempsey.
SASSE: “If you’re angry, I want to beg you, don`t let the screamers who monetize hate have the final word. Don’t let nihilists become your drug dealers. There are some who want to burn it all down. We met some of them today. But they aren’t going to win … You can’t do big things like that if you hate your neighbors. You can’t do big things together as Americans if you think other Americans are the enemy.” Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.
SENATE CONFIRMATIONS: As soon as Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are sworn-in as Georgia’s new senators, control of the Senate will shift to the Democrats, assuring that President-elect Joe Biden will get quick confirmation of his Cabinet nominees.
“I intend to work with the next Majority and the Minority Leader to move forward with key Cabinet nominations even while the Georgia results are confirmed,” Biden said yesterday as both candidates were heading for victory.
“My nominees for critical national security positions at State, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security have bipartisan support and have been confirmed by the Senate before. They need to be in their jobs as soon as possible after January 20th,” Biden said. “After the past four years, after the election, and after today’s election certification proceedings on the Hill, it’s time to turn the page. The American people demand action and they want unity. I am more optimistic than I ever have been that we can deliver both.”
HAPPENING TODAY: Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will introduce key nominees for the Department of Justice at an event in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Merrick Garland for attorney general
- Lisa Monaco for deputy attorney general
- Vanita Gupta for associate attorney general
- Kristen Clarke for assistant attorney general
“These nominees reflect the president-elect’s deeply held commitment to reaffirming the Department of Justice as a pillar of independence and integrity, and ensuring that the Attorney General and his senior leadership team are the American people’s lawyers — not the president’s law firm,” said a statement from Biden’s transition office.
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: DC National Guard activated, reinforcements promised, as rioters lay siege to Capitol
Washington Examiner: Stephanie Grisham and two other White House officials resign amid Capitol Hill violence
Washington Examiner: State Department official says ‘Trump fomented an insurrectionist mob’ and ‘needs to go’
Washington Examiner: House Judiciary Democrats urge Pence to invoke 25th Amendment to remove Trump
Washington Examiner: Woman killed at Capitol ID’ed as Air Force veteran
Washington Examiner: ‘Out of control’: Protesters describe Capitol chaos
Washington Examiner: Capitol chaos: Why didn’t Trump speak to acting Defense Secretary Miller?
Washington Examiner: US allies horrified by Capitol attack: ‘The US Republic has inspired millions. Not today’
Washington Examiner: STRATCOM: US nuclear strategy endangered if Left cuts modernization funding
Washington Post: Pentagon, Lambasted For Heavy Response In The Past, On Sideline During Capitol Melee
New York Times: As House Was Breached, a Fear ‘We’d Have to Fight’ to Get Out
Air Force Magazine: Defense Policy Turns Blue as Democrats Flip Senate
Military.com: The Navy Hospital Ship Politicians Want In LA Is Stuck In Maintenance In Portland
Military.com: A Fort Lee Instructor Is The 15th Service Member, 2nd Active-Duty Soldier, To Die From COVID-19
AP: Kim Vows To Bolster North Korea’s Military At Party Meeting
Stars and Stripes: Navy’s New Arctic Strategy Calls for More Activity as Competition from Russia, China Increases
USNI News: Spate of Attacks on Ships In Middle East Points to Iran-Backed Group
Washington Times: Tighter Budgets Force Marines To Speed Embrace Of Ambitious Overhaul
The Diplomat: Third Chinese Aircraft Carrier Nears Completion Amid Shipyard Expansion
Popular Mechanics: Hmm, South Korea’s First Aircraft Carrier Looks Awfully Familiar — Is that you, Queen Elizabeth?
Defense News: Defense Department Reform Office Shuts Down
Calendar
THURSDAY | JANUARY 7
1 p.m. — Center for the National Interest webinar: “Facing the Realities of International Cyber Conflict,” with Milt Bearden, distinguished non-resident fellow at the Center for the National Interest; George Beebe vice president and director of studies at the Center for the National Interest; Paul Kolbe, director of the Intelligence Project at Harvard University’s Belfer Center; and former Undersecretary of Defense Dov Zakheim, vice chairman of the Center for the National Interest. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register
1 p.m. — Atlantic Council webinar: “Women’s Gains in Afghanistan: Supporting Economic Opportunities for Afghan Women as a Driver of Peace and Security,” with Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Kelley Currie; Brig. Gen. Kimberly Colloton, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers; Connie Duckworth, chairman and CEO of ARZU Inc.; Razia Jan, founder and CEO of Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation; and Sara Greengrass, executive director of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event
2 p.m. — Aspen Institute webinar: “A Moment of Reckoning: Understanding the Russian Cyber Attack,” with Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va.; Kevin Mandia, CEO of FireEye; Katie Moussouris, founder and CEO of Luta Security; and John Carlin, chair of the Aspen Cybersecurity and Technology Program. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events
5 p.m. — George Mason University National Security Institute “NatSec Nightcap” with Amb. Rosemary Banks, New Zealand Ambassador to the U.S.; and Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director, National Security Institute. https://nationalsecurity.gmu.edu/natsec-nightcap
FRIDAY | JANUARY 8
9 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems: The Path Forward,” with Army Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey, deputy director of Force Protection (J-8) Joint Staff; Nicole Thomas, division chief for strategy and policy at the Joint C-sUAS Office; and Tom Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project. https://www.csis.org/events
10 a.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual discussion: “Did Russia just attack the U.S.? How should the Biden Administration respond? A conversation about the SolarWinds Hack,” with Thomas Rid, professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University and author of “Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare”; and Eliot Cohen, SAIS dean. https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“My mother, who as a teenager growing up in Waycross, Georgia, used to pick somebody else’s cotton. But the other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator.”
Senator-elect Raphael Warnock of Georgia.
