The gathering of thousands of Trump supporters in the Capitol grounds at midday on January 6, 2021, transposed the image world of one of his rallies on to the main site of national governance. In the event, this was literally so, as the insurrectionary crowd was first formed and then fed by people who had assembled shortly before at the Ellipse, a stage on the Mall side of the White House, for a “Save America” rally. Trump's speech there was the final incitement to march on the Capitol to stop the certification of the Biden– Harris victory and, instead, secure his re-election. Just in case the message was not clear, to the right of the podium from which Trump spoke, a gateway was erected with these words emboldened across its canopy: MARCH ON THE CAPITOL. Thousands did what they were told. Breeching the outer perimeters of the Capitol grounds by 1 p.m., the crowd found itself occupying the structures erected for the impending inauguration of Joe Biden. The Trumpian image world merged with the postcard site of US patriotism. The reinauguration of Donald J. Trump was prefigured. Supporters then swarmed the Capitol building (Fig. 12.1).

Inside, unaware of the tumult, the legislators began their certification process. Around 2:15 p.m., members of the Proud Boys militia led the break in through windows and the front door (Fig. 12.2). A few minutes later, the mob found itself in the Great Rotunda of the Capitol (Fig. 12.3). They had followed the unfamiliar passageways, brushing aside outnumbered and under-prepared officers. At times, they filed through crowd-control chords, as if they were on a guided tour. Then, they filled the huge hall with excited shouts, milled around in waves, taking selfies, posting to their friends and followers, waving their TRUMP flags and red MAGA gear, showing that they had arrived at the heartland. Some carried the metal bars they had used to beat back the police trying to keep them out of the building. Others covered their faces, half-aware that it might be smart to disguise their identity. Cellphone videos show that soon the hubbub died down, voices were stilled, and the majority of those present stood in silent awe.