“Storming the Castle.” Examining the Motivations of the Veterans Who Participated in the Capitol Riots

Ten percent of the Americans arrested for storming US Capitol on January 6, 2021, are military veterans. These veterans have been charged with federal crimes ranging from Obstruction an Official Proceeding to Assaulting Police Officers. This paper seeks answer three questions related those veterans’ participation in Riots. Were their actions patriotic? What were motivations? And was there anything about experience that made these more likely riot than non-veterans? A content analysis 71 remarks by 40 arrested, both before and after riots, used ascertain motivations individuals. Analysis comments revealed they believed acting patriotically; however, closer examination shows consistent nationalism patriotism. Additionally, training combat exposure veterans, along “Stop Steal” rhetoric, particularly former President Donald Trump, also played integral role influencing The indicated Riots should be classified as a form proto-sectarian violence serve cautionary tale against growing divisiveness sparked this incident.