The Pogrom

The Capitol Riot was a riot and violent attack against the U.S. Congress that occurred on January 6, 2021, when the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., was stormed. A mob of supporters of President Donald Trump attempted to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election by disrupting the joint session of Congress assembled to count electoral votes to formalize Joe Biden's victory. The Capitol complex was locked down and lawmakers and staff were evacuated while rioters occupied and vandalized the building for several hours. More than 140 people were injured in the storming. Five people died due to the riot.

Kristallnacht (or the Night of Broken Glass), was a riot and violent attack against Jews carried out by SA paramilitary forces and civilians throughout Nazi Germany on 9–10 November 1938. The German authorities looked on without intervening. The name Kristallnacht ("Crystal Night") comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings and synagogues were smashed. The pretext for the attacks was the assassination of the German diplomat Ernst vom Rath by Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year-old German-born Polish Jew living in Paris.

Jewish homes, hospitals, and schools were ransacked as attackers demolished buildings with sledgehammers. Rioters destroyed 267 synagogues throughout Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Over 7,000 Jewish businesses were damaged or destroyed, and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps. British historian Martin Gilbert wrote that no event in the history of German Jews between 1933 and 1945 was so widely reported as it was happening, and the accounts from foreign journalists working in Germany sent shockwaves around the world. The Times of London observed on 11 November 1938: "No foreign propagandist bent upon blackening Germany before the world could outdo the tale of burnings and beatings, of blackguardly assaults on defenseless and innocent people, which disgraced that country yesterday."

Besides the obvious similarities regarding the breaking of large amounts of glass and blaming the innocent, there are numerous others:

1. They both were incited by one man:

   • Trump incited the riot that directly led to the death of five people by his prior statements:

     • “If the liberal Democrats take the Senate and the White House — and they’re not taking this White House — we’re going to fight like hell, I’ll tell you right now,” - Trump, Jan 04, 2021

     • "If you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore" - Trump, Jan 06, 2021

     • "We're going to walk down and I'll be there with you . . . We're going to walk down to the Capitol and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them." - Trump, Jan 06, 2021

       • • Note: Both Leaders ran and hid when faced with armed conflict:

           • Trump did not walk to the Capitol but instead walked directly back to the White House where he watched on tv all those he just addressed storm the Capitol.

           • Hitler, when faced with a confrontation with the police during the Beer Hall Putsch "dived to the ground at the first shot . . . Ludendorff not only remained on his feet but, accompanied by his aide, Major Streck, continued marching steadily towards the police rifles . . . Hitler was the first scramble away from the scene to find refuge in Putzi Hanfstaengl's country home" - Anthony Read, (The Devil's Disciples, 2003, pg 100)

     • "I believed I was following the instructions of former President Trump," - Garrett Miller, Capitol Rioter, Feb 09, 2021

     • "The nature and circumstances of this offense must be viewed through the lens of an event inspired by the President of the United States" - Brandi Harden (defense attorney for Capitol Riotor Emanuel Jackson), Jan 21, 2021

   • Hitler upon hearing of the assassination of Ernst vom Rath left abruptly dinner commemorating the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch without giving his usual address. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels delivered the speech, in his place, and said that "the Führer has decided that... demonstrations should not be prepared or organized by the party, but insofar as they erupt spontaneously, they are not to be hampered." The chief party judge Walter Buch later stated that the message was clear; with these words, Goebbels had commanded the party leaders to organize a pogrom.

     • "The Jews should for once get to feel the anger of the people" - Hitler, Munich, Nov 9, 1938 (per Anthony Read, The Devil's Disciples, 2005, pg 508)

     • Heinrich Müller (Inspector of the SS Security Police in Austria), in a message to his commanders, stated the "most extreme measures" were to be taken against Jewish people.

     • Comrades, we cannot allow this attack by international Jewry to go unchallenged. It must be repudiated. Our people must be told, and their answer must be ruthless, salutary!" - Joseph Goebbels, Munich, Nov 9, 1938 (per Anthony Read, The Devil's Disciples, 2005, pg 508)

     • "I go to the reception of the party in the old town hall. It was very crowded. I bring the matter to the Führer. He decides: let the demonstrations go on. Withdraw police. The Jews should get to feel the anger of the people. That’s right. I’ll give appropriate instructions to police and party. Then I talk briefly before the party leaders in this sense. Stormy applause. Everyone rushes immediately to the telephones. Now the people is going to take action." - Joseph Goebbels (Reich Minister of Propaganda), personal diary entry, Nov 10, 1938

2. The police did nothing to stop it and in many cases actually provided assistance.

   • Trump issued no orders to law enforcement to end the pogrom

     • Trump did not even appear on tv until many hours after where he asked rioters to go home and stated that he loved them.

       • “So go home. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens, you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home, and go home in peace.” - Trump, Jan 06, 2021 (via twitter)

     • The Capitol Police made little effort to stop the rioters from entering the Capitol, with many even providing assistance. There were over 1,200 Capitol Police on duty that day but only 30 arrests were made.

       • The most heroic police officer that day was celebrated for running away from the rioters.

   • Hitler issued no orders to law enforcement to end the pogrom

     • Reinhard Heydrich (Director of the Gestapo) sent an urgent secret telegram to the Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police; SiPo) and the Sturmabteilung (the SA - See The Brownshirts), containing instructions regarding the riots. This included guidelines for the protection of foreigners and non-Jewish businesses and property. Police were instructed not to interfere with the riots unless the guidelines were violated. Police were also instructed to seize Jewish archives from synagogues and community offices, and to arrest and detain "healthy male Jews, who are not too old", for eventual transfer to (labor) concentration camps. - Nazi Telegram, Nov 10, 1938

3. People died:

   • Five people died as a result of the Capitol Riots.

   • 91 Jews were murdered during Kristallnacht, with a further 30,000 Jewish men being sent to concentration camps where many of them subsequently were killed.

4. People were ashamed:

   • American:

     • "I want to publicly apologize to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and the Capitol police officers," he added. "I have always supported law enforcement and I am ashamed by my comments." - Captial Rioter, Garret Miller, Jan 25, 2021

     • “betrayal of his office and supporters,” and “orchestrating a mob to pressure Congress is inexcusable.” - William Barr, Jan 07, 2021

     • "Trump and I, we had a hell of a journey. I hate it being this way . . . all I can say is count me out. Enough is enough. I tried to be helpful." - Republican Senator Lyndsey Graham, Jan 06, 2021

     • "Today, the United States Capitol—the world’s greatest symbol of self-government—was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard—tweeting against his vice president for fulfilling the duties of his oath to the Constitution” - Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Jan 06, 2021.

     • "[Trump's] use of the Presidency to destroy trust in our election and to poison our respect for fellow citizens has been enabled by pseudo political leaders whose names will live in infamy as profiles in cowardice" - Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Jan 06, 2021

   • Germans:

     • "For the first time, I am ashamed to be German." - Former German Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1938

5. The violence was led by far-right, neo-fascist, chauvinist, and exclusively white male organizations that promoted and engaged in political violence while wearing tattoos, Nordic symbols/insignia, symbols of birds, and the Totenkopf (dead's head).

Capitol Pogrom

5. • The Proud Boys is a far-right, neo-fascist, chauvinist, and exclusively male organization that promotes and engages in political violence in the United States. They played a central role in planning and executing the Capitol Riot with at least 25 members being subsequently arrested. See The Brownshirts.

   • Capitol rioters wore Viking horns, Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer), valknut (the Viking “knot of the slain), and Viking tattoos such as the Sonnenrad (or sun-wheel, a blatantly racist symbol).

   • One rioter wore a sweatshirt emblazoned with the Totenkopf, and the words "Camp Aushwitz".

   • A rioter that assaulted a D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fallone wore a shirt emblazoned with the Totenkopf. - CNN, May 13, 2021

     • • • • The officer was knocked unconscious and later had a heart attack.

   • Capitol rioter Riley June Williams, faces multiple charges including violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds as well aiding/abetting others to “embezzle, steal, purloin.” While many engaged in property damage and violence that day, Williams’ case stands out given her ex-partner has alleged to the FBI that she stole a laptop from Nancy Pelosi’s office. She subsequently was videoed dancing in a dress while wearing a hat decorated with a Sonnenrad (a Nazi symbol), a mask decorated with a skull, and a book about the Waffen-SS at her feet. - Bellingcat, Feb 24, 2021

   • Numerous rioters displayed the white power symbol with their hands. - ABC News, Jan 14, 2021

   • Numerous rioters displayed the Confederate Battle Flag. - ABC News, Jan 14, 2021

Kristallnacht

5. • The SS (Schutzstaffel - Protection Squadron) was regarded as the Nazi Party's elite unit with all members keeping with the racial policy of Nazi Germany (in the early days all SS officer candidates had to provide proof of Aryan ancestry back to 1750 and for other ranks to 1800). They played a central role during Kristallnacht, clandestinely coordinating the violence against Jews and their properties - including deporting 30,000 Jewish men to concentration camps and fining the Jewish community over one billion Reichsmark ($7 billion in 2020) for the damge that was caused.

     • SS Rituals included using Nordic Runic insignia (The double-sig rune insignia: ᛋᛋ, the Odal: ᛟ - racial purity) and the Totenkopf (death's head badge).

   • The SA (Sturmabteilung -Storm Detachment, whose members were called Stormtroopers) was the Nazi Party's original paramilitary wing. It played a significant role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s. Its primary purposes were providing protection for Nazi rallies and assemblies; disrupting the meetings of opposing parties; fighting against the paramilitary units of the opposing parties and intimidating Romani, trade unionists, and especially Jews (See The Brownshirts).

     • In 1923, Goring created an elite guard, squad, the Stabeswache (Staff Watch), distinguished from the rest of the SA by black ski caps with a Totenkopf. Eventually, this group became the SS.

6. People were held to account:

   • Trump:

     • By March 2021 the Justice Department stated the "investigation and prosecution of the Capitol Attack will likely be one of the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence". The Department asked courts to delay most cases by at least two months so the volumes of cases and evidence could be better managed.

     • On Jan 05, 2021, Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Republican Kelly Loeffler, becoming the first Black senator from the state of Georgia, while Democrat Jon Ossoff defeated Republican incumbent David Perdue. - despite Trump heavily campaigning for both Republicans. These results gave the Democratic Party control of the U.S. Senate.

     • Jon Schaffer, 53, a member of the Oath Keepers militia group (and the heavy metal band Iced Earth) pleaded guilty to two charges - obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a restricted building with a dangerous weapon.

       • Prosecutors agreed to a recommendation of between 3.5 and 4.5 years in prison, depending on Schaffer's continued cooperation in prosecuting other rioters. He would also be granted sponsorship for the United States Federal Witness Protection Program.

     • Trump was impeached (again).

   • Hitler: Numerous SS and SA officers and members involved with Kristallnacht were held to account

     • Ernst Kaltenbrunner - tried as part of the Nuremberg trials (death).

     • Reinhard Heydrich - killed by the Czech resistance in June 04, 1942.

     • Otto Müller - most likely died in Berlin in May 1945.

     • Walter Buch - categorized as a “major offender” by a denazification court (4 years in prison - committed suicide soon after release).

7. People denied it happened:

   • The Capitol Pogrom:

     • "By and large, it was a peaceful protest, except for there were a number of people, basically agitators that whipped the crowd and breached the Capitol. That's really the truth of what's happening here" - Senator Ron Johnson. May 19, 2021

     • "it was zero threat right from the start . . . some of them went in and their hugging and kissing the police and the guards . . . a lot of the people were waived in" - Trump, March 26, 2021 (interview with Trump by Laura Ingraham, regarding Capitol riots).

       • Note: The interview did not mention that five people died during the Capitol riots.

     • "Watching the tv footage of those who entered the Capitol and walked through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and the ropes, taking videos and pictures, you know if you didn't know that TV footage was a video from January the sixth, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit,” - Rep Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mar 12, 2021

     • “She was wrapped in a U.S. flag . . . Who executed Ashli Babbitt?” - Rep. Paul Gossar (R-AZ)

       • • Ashli Babbit was shot by Capitol Police as she was trying to climb through a broken window into the Speaker's Lobby outside the House Chamber.

     • “The love in the air . . . There was also a lovefest between the police, the Capitol Police, and the people that walked down to the Capitol.” - Trump, July 12, 2021

   • Kristallnacht:

     • "In a few isolated cases, perhaps, old women made off with small trinkets or pieces of wearing apparel" and "No Jew had a hair on his touched." - Joseph Goebbels, Nov 11, 1938

     • “International Jewry” funded Herschel Grynszpan’s assassination of Ernst vom Rath. Then, they instigated the Kristallnacht pogrom in order to embarrass the German government and foster international sympathy for the Jews. Ingrid Weckert, a German Holocaust denier, claims that the Germans were the pogrom’s victims: “Ultimately it was not the Jews but the Germans who suffered most as the result of this event.” Ingrid Weckert, Crystal Night 1938: The great Anti-German spectacle,” - Journal for Historical Review, Summer, 1986, p. 15 of 17

       • Frau Weckert also offers up this insight "The same ethical standards applied to the SS and SA. The SA stormtroopers were not sophisticated men. They usually preferred to use their fists before using their heads, but they acted according to the ideals which they had been taught: honor, faithfulness, honesty, and devotion to their people and country."

     • Another Holocaust denier, David Irving, affirms Ingrid Weckert’s assertion that the assassination of vom Rath was a Jewish conspiracy. Irving suggests that there was “some frail evidence that LICA, the Paris-based International League against Anti-Semitism” had a hand in the assassination. - David Irving, Goebbels: Mastermind of the Third Reich (Focal Point, 1996), p. 490

       • There is no evidence that there was a conspiracy to assassinate Ernst vom Rath.

8. Nazis participated in both Pogroms:

   • Capitol Pogrom:

     • Timothy Hale-Cusanelli faces seven criminal counts in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection, including civil disorder and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol Building. He has "proudly displayed" a Hitler mustache while working at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey - ABC News, Mar 13, 2021

     • Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller¹, on the steps of the Capitol the day before the Capitol Riot said "Hitler was right on one thing. He said, ‘Whoever has the youth has the future.’ Our children are being propagandized.” - YouTube, Jan 10, 2021

       • She was incorrect as Der Fuhrer actually said "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future."

       • She later apologized stating she was “passionately pro-Israel” and “a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community”.

   • Kristallnacht was initiated, supported, sustained, and organized by Nazis.

"Nothing is harder than telling troops flushed with victory, that victory has been snatched from their hands"

- Joseph Goebbels, Tagebücher (personal diary), Aug 13, 1932

¹ I do not think it is wrong to quote Hitler and am actually more offended that she couldn't quote him accurately.

• Though the timing of her speech (a day before the Capital pogrom) is quite interesting.

² Once again the quote is incorrect. The slogan that appears on the entrance of Auschwitz (and other Nazi concentration camps) is "Arbeit macht frei" which translates to English as "Work sets you free" or "Work makes one free".

³ The 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf" (German: 3. SS-Panzerdivision "Totenkopf") was one of 38 divisions of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II. Its name, Totenkopf, is German for "death's head" – the skull and crossbones symbol – and it is thus sometimes referred to as the Death's Head Division.

• The division became notorious for its brutality and committed numerous war crimes, including the Le Paradis massacre.

• Its commander General Herman Priess was convicted of war crimes for his involvement in the Malmedy massacre, during which 373 unarmed American prisoners were murdered by the SS. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.