Law Commons^™

The Fight Ahead, Bernard E. Harcourt

Faculty Scholarship

The sitting president of the United States, squarely defeated in the 2020 election and denied a second term, staged a counterrevolution on January 6, 2021-the day Congress was scheduled to confirm the results of the Electoral College. It was an unprecedented sight. A mob stormed the Capitol, overtook the House and Senate chambers, and ransacked the Speaker's office. Instigated by the president, the insurrection was enabled by the leaders of the Republican Party who, for months, refused to recogniz.e the election results.

This counterrevolution was long in the making. Its eruption fully exposed the deep rift in this country.