Discussion Post
After supporters of former 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."
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