Page 10 - Turmoil in America: The 2020 Election

Arrest of the QAnon Shaman

In the days following the siege on the US Capitol images and video of one par-
ticular activist seemed to dominate the news. The activist, Jacob Chansley, was
shown striding around the halls of the Capitol bare-chested with his face painted
and wearing a fur headdress featuring prominent horns. Chansley, of Phoenix,
Arizona, regards himself as a “QAnon shaman,” meaning he believes he has in-
side access to the information promoted by the so-called QAnon movement—an
underground sect that promotes bizarre conspiracies that warn of the takeover of
the US government.
Soon after the siege Chansley was taken into custody, charged with civil dis-
order, obstruction of an of cial proceeding, violent entry, and disorderly conduct.
Moreover, prosecutors alleged that he made threats against Vice President Mike
Pence, who was criticized by President Trump for refusing to overturn the results
of the Electoral College. By spring 2021 Chansley remained in jail awaiting trial.
In turning down a request by Chansley’s lawyer to release the defendant on bail,
US District Judge Royce Lamberth said, “These are not the actions of a person
who is shy about breaking the law.”

Quoted in Jaclyn Diaz, “Jacob Chansley, Self-Styled ‘QAnon Shaman,’ to Stay in Jail Pending Trial,” National
Public Radio, March 9, 2021. npr.org.

Biden and Harris Inaugurated
Reinforcements were called in. Members of the Washington, DC,
municipal police force as well as soldiers from the National Guard
responded to the siege. By about four o’clock, the reinforce-
ments had arrived at the Capitol. Many of the demonstrators still
in the building at that time were arrested. Order was restored, and
members of Congress returned to the Capitol later that night to
complete the job of certifying the election. And in the early morn-
ing hours of January 7, the process was completed: Biden was
certifi ed as the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Biden as well as Vice President Kamala Harris were inaugu-
rated on January 20. Traditionally, presidential inaugurations are
huge events that dominate Washington society for days. Tens of
thousands of people ordinarily attend the inauguration, which is
held on the steps of the Capitol. A parade follows, and later in the
evening, grand balls are held, attended by the president and First
Lady. But again, due to concerns about the pandemic, the crowd

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