Discussion Post
After supporters of President Trump descended on the U.S. Capitol building, hoping to stop the counting of electoral college votes, lawmakers and experts alike repeated a phrase to describe the violent mob: "domestic terrorists."
"Those who performed these reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters; no, these were rioters and insurrectionists, goons and thugs, domestic terrorists," Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a speech after lawmakers reconvened. "They do not represent America."
Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said Thursday that the band of people who occupied the House floor were "terrorists, not patriots," evoking the fact that September will mark 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Also, a number of national security experts agree with that assessment, comparing the aggressive takeover of the federal landmark to the FBI's definition of 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."
I like to take your stance on this for this very first prompt. Can we easily and neatly categorize this incident as an act of terror? Is it easy to categorize any act of violence as an act of terror? Make sure you follow the guidelines I posted in an earlier announcement.
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.