New Video From Reporter Inside U.S. Capitol Riots Is The Most Stunning Footage Yet
There has been plenty of video footage of the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol, but this may be the clearest view yet.
When Luke Mogelson, contributing writer at The New Yorker, followed Trump supporters as they forced their way into the Senate chamber, not only did his vantage point bring viewers right into the middle of the action, but crystal clear audio (with subtitles) really captured the mindset and the intention of those who were the most brazen among the Capitol rioters.
The 12-minute video has gone viral, with reactions ranging from anger to heartbreak and everywhere in between.
Mogelson was originally there to cover President Trump's speech, but he followed the President's supporters as they made their way toward the U.S. Capitol, eventually forcing their way in. Armed only with the camera on his smartphone, Mogelson documented the violent rage as well as the vandalism and rummaging throughout the Capitol building.
He also managed to capture how eerily quiet it was once inside of some areas of the U.S. Capitol—one of the most vivid examples being the moments where rioters were inside of some of the most "sacred" chambers where we are used to seeing our representatives and lawmakers convene. Some of the most recognizable faces from the insurrection are captured during the surreal moments, as they clearly lay out their intentions in extreme detail.
There are even moments that feel comical, like when the horned insurrectionist (known as the "Q Anon Shaman") calmly asks another rioter to take a picture of him in Mike Pence's seat while a security guard pleads with them to exit the room, but not before allowing them to casually snap their photos.
According to The New Yorker, the footage was not originally intended for publication but decided to share it due to the fact that it "documents a historic event and serves as a visceral complement to Mogelson’s probing, illuminating report."
You can read more on that here.