On January 6, former Vice President Mike Pence oversaw a joint session of Congress to nationally acknowledge then-President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election.
But what had been a routine procedure after presidential elections for over a century before was suddenly anything but standard.
With his frivolous lawsuits and pressure on state legislatures to overturn the election results, then-President Donald Trump had no proof to show for his constant lies that the 2020 presidential race was "stolen" from him by Democrats. He called on his Vice President to wield powers not enshrined to him in the joint session to reverse the results.
Realizing that Pence wasn't going to facilitate Trump's power grab, the former President's supporters—many of whom attended Trump's rally just minutes before—grew enraged. They stormed the United States Capitol, calling for Pence to be hanged. They shattered windows, smeared excrement across the walls, ransacked offices, and erected a gallows outside.
Their actions resulted in the deaths of at least five people and endangered the lives of every lawmaker present that day, including Trump's own Vice President, whom surveillance footage revealed came only feet from the insurrectionists.
As chilling a moment as it was for the United States, it would've been even worse were it not for the actions of the Capitol Police and other security officials that day, many of whom spent hours wrangling with rioters in order to protect the lawmakers inside.
On Wednesday, the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed a bill honoring with Congressional gold medals the police who defended them and the Capitol.
But while it passed with an overwhelming majority, 12 pro-Trump Republicans voted against it. Among them were Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Louie Gohmert (R-TX).
Here are the 12 Republicans who voted against awarding Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police. Biggs… https://t.co/emVHPEPvwx— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1616027404.0
These Republicans rejected the language of the bill, claiming it was too "editorial" for referring to the insurrectionists as "insurrectionists" and to the Capitol as a "temple." They accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) of using the bill for political convenience.
Law enforcement officers are worthy of gratitude and praise for their service and sacrifice in our communities ever… https://t.co/jw6FXSJMYF— Congressman Bob Good (@Congressman Bob Good) 1616025730.0
It's wrong Congress logrolled recognition of @CapitolPolice. Dems combined recognition of USCP with editorial comm… https://t.co/xOOwzwTCD3— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@Rep. Matt Gaetz) 1616023868.0
Two weeks ago, Democrats voted to defund the police, take away qualified immunity, and put police on Biden’s hit li… https://t.co/juXDzfIgiU— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸) 1616018931.0
Many of them called for the House to pass far-right Congressman Louie Gohmert's opposing bill instead, which barely acknowledges the riots or who committed them.
The Republican representatives soon began facing heat for their "No" votes.
To those 12 Republicans today: It WAS an insurrection. Shame on you all.— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1616022898.0
12 Republicans voted against granting a Congressional Gold Medal to the US Capitol Police. They say they support p… https://t.co/4oCUTkUWBt— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1616067285.0
And the award for worst people in the US goes to the 12 no’s. #Awards https://t.co/3n2VXnXm3G— Ace Parade (@Ace Parade) 1616072934.0
Wow! Why would those 12 worthless idiots vote no. They've voted no on everything else. No surprise. Disgusting. https://t.co/StMQzyPy8h— ana (@ana) 1616044477.0
They REALLY want folks to know they were in on the insurrection. https://t.co/rraMN5R7oO— Beth® (@Beth®) 1616040118.0
Several pointed out that these same Republicans use so-called support for law enforcement to demonize those calling attention to racist police brutality.
Thanks to the 12 republicans who voted “NO” to award congressional gold medals to the police officers who protected… https://t.co/rGb6YOPOGR— SoyBoy (@SoyBoy) 1616070253.0
It turns out, the “Blue Lives Matter” crowd are the actual cop-killers. What's the 12 Republicans defense of this? https://t.co/X6fwUBwd3k— Lili white🌎🌊🌊 (@Lili white🌎🌊🌊) 1616065641.0
12 Republicans voted against awarding Congressional Gold Medals to Capitol Police who protected the US Capitol duri… https://t.co/O7CqegvzoK— Bishop Talbert Swan (@Bishop Talbert Swan) 1616064626.0
In other ✨ racist ✨ news, 12 republicans voted against giving officers who actually protected the capital on Januar… https://t.co/YSn3gRiFp7— Rogue Bunny (@Rogue Bunny) 1616075508.0
All of the Republicans who voted against the bill also amplified Trump's election lies, which played a crucial role in prompting the riots.