Peter G. de Krassel

Opinion | Could US Capitol invasion signal the start of the third American revolution?

Among the more than 74 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump, many are diehard supporters who, having anticipated an unpalatable election outcome, have armed themselves and will not hesitate to take to the streets again

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A Trump supporter sprays smoke during a protest outside the Capitol building in Washington on January 6. Photo: Reuters

Peter G. de Krassel

Published: 3:30am, 15 Jan 2021Updated: 4:50am, 15 Jan 2021

Has the US embarked on its third revolution? This is the question in many minds after the world’s richest and most powerful democracy saw its Capitol attacked and ransacked by angry Donald Trump supporters who dispute the results of November’s presidential election.

This was the first attack on the US Capitol since 1814, when British forces entered the city during the War of 1812.

The invasion of the Capitol, while Congress was tallying the Electoral College votes to certify Joe Biden’s election as US president, was the flashpoint that may well have sparked a third revolution.

“Storming the Capitol on the direction of the president is something we have not seen before. There isn’t a historical precedent,” said Nicole Hemmer, a presidential scholar at Columbia University. “This cannot be categorised as a peaceful transfer of power.”

05:52

Trump supporters storm US Capitol, interrupting Congress’ certification of Biden’s victory

There have been many mass protests in Washington over the years, but none that were aimed at overthrowing the government.