reSee.it Video Transcript AI Summary
The transcript covers the January 6, 2021 events at the Capitol, detailing the sequence from the march to the Capitol to the initially escalating and then intensified police response.
- At the outset, a speaker calls on Congress to confront an “egregious assault on our democracy,” and asserts that the crowd will walk down to the Capitol to demand that Congress “only count the electors who have been lawfully slated.” A promise is made that participants will march to the Capitol “peacefully and patriotically” to have their voices heard.
- Around 12:30 PM, a large group is seen heading toward the Capitol from eastbound Pennsylvania Avenue. A speaker notes that President Trump “won’t be finished speaking at the Ellipse for another forty minutes.” There is mention that Mike Pence “has to agree to send it back.”
- By 12:45 PM, footage shows a wall of people arriving about a block west of the Capitol, gathering at Peace Circle where Pennsylvania Avenue ends and becomes Pennsylvania Walkway, leading to the West Side of the Capitol. A security camera view from the exterior dome shows the crowd rapidly filling the area in front of the West Plaza, with those entering Capitol grounds potentially seeing no prior warnings or barriers.
- Inside the Capitol, Vice President Mike Pence enters the House chamber to convene the joint session to certify electoral votes, while President Donald Trump continues speaking at the Ellipse, seemingly unaware of the crowd at the Capitol. Outside, DC Capitol Police Deputy Chief Waldo orders the less-lethal team into position.
- A sequence of tactical movements follows: a request for less-lethal teams to move up from the Upper West Terrace and an elevated position being prepared. The team is described as “not compliant.” Less-lethal munitions are discussed, with multiple warnings reportedly given, though some warnings are not captured on video.
- President Trump finishes his speech at the Ellipse around 01:12 PM. A split-screen view shows simultaneous events in real time.
- A separate exchange references the objection from Arizona, with “Is the objection in writing and signed by a senator?” answered “Yes. It is.” Representatives Gosar and Senator Ted Cruz then make a challenge on the floor of the House.
- At 01:13 PM, MPD officer Daniel Thou arrives at the southwest plaza with a body camera showing him and nearby officers spraying demonstrators with an inflammatory agent. By 01:15 PM, Thou crosses the line, engages with demonstrators, discharges two rounds from his taser (ECD), and then urges others to “start shooting what they have into the crowd.”
- The less-lethal team fires into the crowd for a third time at 01:17 PM. A second wave of DC Metropolitan Police officers arrives on the East Side of the Capitol, bringing explosive ammunition rounds that will be distributed to West Plaza officers. Officer Tara Tindle crouches on the ground, readying CS gas rounds. A scene commander authorizes explosive deployment into the crowd.
- By 01:30 PM, officers push the crowd back and establish a police line on the Southwest side, which is held for about an hour. Officers deploy “Steamboat” rounds and other munitions as the crowd is contained.
- Around 01:32 PM, an officer laments that throwing grenades into the crowd will make things worse, but moments later another officer seems to change course and reaches for additional munitions. Discussions about using triple chasers and the risks of fire are noted, with one officer being reprimanded for earlier smoke deployment.
- A captain directs Officer Thao to hold off discharging CS gas, while Thao acquires a Stinger round and a baton round to fire into the crowd. At 02:18 PM, a tense officer-to-officer exchange reveals acknowledgment that innocent people are being affected, with one officer stating, “Nothing's gonna help… we're taking out one and ten of them are getting way easier,” and that the crowd is being multiplied by being hit.