CAPITOL RIOTS

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Wray’s message to lawmakers was clear: The attack on the Capitol was domestic terrorism -- and it’s a growing problem. “We view the events of January 6 as domestic terrorism,” Wray said. “We have not seen evidence of that at this stage.”DURBIN: Do you have any evidence that the Capitol attack was organized by 'fake Trump protesters'? • 270,000+ digital media tips sent from public• 300+ arrested pic.twitter.com/dogXo1W7pJ — NBC News (@NBCNews) March 2, 2021More: FBI chief calls Jan. 6 ‘domestic terrorism,’ defends intel

(AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)DETROIT – Michigan’s top Republican called the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, which resulted in five deaths including a Capitol police officer, a hoax, in a video posted to YouTube last week. Michigan GOP Senate Leader Mike Shirkey appears in a video posted on Feb. 3 by the “R.O.A.R. The video appears to show Shirkey meeting with Hillsdale County Republican Party officials, one day before the county voted to censure Shirkey. The reported video comes right after the New York Times published an article detailing Shirkey’s involvement with Michigan militias, who held armed protests at the Michigan Capitol last year over COVID-19 restrictions. For all these reasons, Mike Shirkey should be out.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan law enforcement agencies are on high alert for expected armed protests at the Capitol in Lansing starting on Sunday. Michigan State Police, working with the Michigan National Guard and the FBI, have stepped up security around the Capitol and in surrounding areas, like Downtown Lansing. The FBI warned that armed protests are planned at all 50 state capitols leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration -- with protests expected Sunday in Michigan’s capital city. The Lansing Capitol Building will be closed over the weekend, and lawmakers will not be in session, amid the expected protests. More: Michigan law enforcement on armed Capitol protests this weekend: ‘We will be prepared’Follow updates from Local 4 reporters in Lansing below:

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol in Washington. Joined by Michigan Rep. Fred Upon, Meijer was one of only 10 Republican House representatives to support the second impeachment of President Donald Trump on Jan. 13. “At the end of the day, this was a vote of conscience,” Meijer said during an interview on MSNBC Thursday morning. Just last spring, a group of armed protesters entered the Michigan Capitol Building and yelled at members of security outside the legislative chambers to be let inside. The Michigan Capitol Commission has unanimously voted to ban the open carry of firearms inside the building, but some officials argue that new rule is not enough to protect the Capitol and those working inside.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)WASHINGTON – The U.S. House voted to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday for his role in inciting the attack on the Capitol last week. A total of 10 Republicans voted to impeach Trump, the most bipartisan support any impeachment has received in U.S. history. The fast-moving impeachment comes after Trump incited an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week, a violent riot led by Trump supporters that resulted in at least five deaths including one Capitol officer. More: ‘Michigan Capitol is not safe’: AG Dana Nessel warns new ban on firearms not sufficient

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is taking no responsibility for his role in fomenting a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week. As rioters were still in the Capitol, Trump released a video seemingly excusing the events, saying of the rioters: “We love you. You’re very special.”Also: President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday at the White House that the prospect of impeachment is causing “tremendous anger” in the nation. His remarks were his first to reporters since the Capitol attack.

The riots in Washington, D.C. Wednesday that left five people dead were scary and unsettling to watch for many people across the nation. Let them know that what they see on screen does not necessarily reflect the real life that’s going on around them. Experts said if you’re a parent who agrees with what happened then it’s important to be candid. The bottom line is that it’s an ongoing dialogue and a parent is the most important source of information for a child. Reports: FBI warns of possible armed protests at 50 state Capitols starting Jan. 16A memo from the FBI to law enforcement agencies across the United States is warning of possible armed protests at all 50 state Capitols starting Jan. 16, several outlets are reporting Monday.

'We must take action,' Pelosi says about plans to impeach TrumpWASHINGTON – Watch live coverage as the House of Representatives meets for a pro forma session as Democrats consider bringing articles of impeachment against President Trump. The House action could start as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside. After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment. House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors.

“I’m still trying to gather my thoughts about what I saw yesterday,” Lewis said Thursday. The reporter had the opportunity to witness two historic events in Washington: Lewis covered the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests during the summer of 2020. He says he was there on the streets covering the events after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd in May. Read: Race double standard clear in rioters’ Capitol insurrectionOver the summer, Lewis says officers dispersed BLM protesters in a matter of minutes. Related: Michigan leaders condemn ‘double standard’ of treatment of mostly white rioters at US Capitol

Congresswoman Lawrence says, though it may be difficult for people to hear or even realize, the truth is that Capitol police would have responded differently Wednesday if the rioters Black instead of white. More: Race double standard clear in rioters’ Capitol insurrectionLawrence was among the many lawmakers inside the U.S. Capitol when the pro-Trump extremists stormed the building on Wednesday. Many are wondering why police had such a heavy presence amid largely peaceful BLM protests, but were hardly present amid such a violent riot Jan. 6. He also agrees there are major differences in the treatment of white and Black demonstrators by law enforcement. Congresswoman Lawrence says hearings will take place regarding what happened in Washington on Jan. 6 and the lack of security at the Capitol.

History will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation. Their fantasy narrative has spiraled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Right now, Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. We need more leaders like these — right now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead as President-Elect Biden works to restore a common purpose to our politics.