The last time I came to the Capitol I was tear-gassed in the lobby. This time was even worse

The last time I came to the U.S. Capitol was exactly four years ago.

I only made it as far as the outer lobby before a volley of tear gas forced me and a gang of rioters to retreat. I got only a brief glimpse of a grand chandelier and the famous ceiling murals before running into a giant column with my eyes closed.

On this January 6, I entered through that very same door and took a seat in the press gallery above the House Chamber to witness what was always supposed to be a solemn and procedural affair: the certification of the presidential election.

This time there was no QAnon Shaman, no Proud Boys, no priests chanting the Lord’s Prayer on the Ellipse, no tear gas, no zip ties, no gallows, and no raging president encouraging his supporters.

Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris, fresh off her election defeat, entered the room to polite applause from both sides. She walked past a beaming Marjorie Taylor Greene, the congresswoman from Georgia and perhaps the biggest supporter of the mob that attacked this building four years ago. Laughing throughout, Taylor Greene appeared the happiest person in the room.

More at:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-january-6-election-certification-inauguration-b2674730.html

I believe this is one of the saddest writings I have read.