Ep 28. The Trump Insurrection: 24 Hours That Shook America

On January 6, 2021, the world watched in disbelief as a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The CNN Special Report season 4 episode 28, titled "The Trump Insurrection: 24 Hours That Shook America," takes viewers inside the Capitol building during those tumultuous hours and examines the events that led up to one of the darkest moments in American history.

Using interviews with lawmakers, Capitol staff, law enforcement officials, and others who witnessed the chaos firsthand, the episode provides a comprehensive look at the events of that day. From Trump's inflammatory speech at a rally just blocks from the Capitol to the moment Capitol police were overrun by a mob intent on disrupting the certification of the electoral college results, every aspect of the insurrection is explored in detail.

The episode also sheds light on the larger social and political forces at play that led to the insurrection. Featuring expert analysis from political scientists, historians, and other scholars, we learn about the rise of extremist groups like the Proud Boys and QAnon, and how Trump's constant attacks on the legitimacy of the election created a fertile ground for conspiracy theories to take root.

But the bulk of the episode is devoted to the 24 hours that shook America. We see images of the mob breaking windows, vandalizing offices, and screaming epithets at law enforcement officers. We hear harrowing accounts of lawmakers and staffers who barricaded themselves inside offices and hid as the mob roamed the Capitol halls. And ultimately, we witness the triumph of democracy as Congress reconvenes later that evening to certify the election results despite the violence and chaos that had taken place just hours before.

Throughout the episode, CNN emphasizes the gravity of what happened on January 6. "The Trump Insurrection: 24 Hours That Shook America" is not a sensationalist retelling of events but rather a sober-minded chronicle of one of the most significant events in recent American history. It is a testament to the bravery of Capitol police officers who put their lives on the line to protect lawmakers and staff. It is a tribute to the resilience of American democracy and its institutions in the face of extremist threats. And it is a call to all Americans to remember the events of that day and work to ensure that such an attack on the very heart of our democracy never happens again.