WCBS 880 Special Report: Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided

By Neil. A. Carousso and the WCBS 880 News Team

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The nation and the world watched in horror Wednesday as a pro-Trump insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in a deadly occupation that claimed the lives of five people, including a police officer.

Lawmakers, who had gathered for a joint session of Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory, and their staff feared for their lives as the violent mob invaded the Senate and House chambers.

Members of Congress were forced into hiding, scrambled to hide under desks, were told to don gas masks and evacuated to undisclosed safe rooms.

Anchor Lynda Lopez hosts an hour-long special, “Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided,” that looks back at this week’s historic events and how they unfolded.

“Chaos at the Capitol – A Nation Divided“ will feature firsthand accounts from lawmakers and reporters who were in the nation’s Capitol when it descended into chaos, as well as analysis on how we got here, what it will take to move forward as a nation, and more.

The broadcast includes interviews with freshman Congressman Ritchie Torres of the Bronx, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, CBS News correspondent Steve Dorsey, former Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, Princeton University professor Julian Zelizer, CBS News election law expert David Becker, child psychiatrist and professor Dr. Llinda Drozdowicz and more.

Below is our segment featuring Becker, as interviewed by producer Neil A. Carousso.

Becker explains Wednesday’s riots are the culmination of a years-long disinformation campaign and discusses what it will take to restore confidence in future elections.

Neil A. Carousso contributed reporting and produced the WCBS 880 Special: Chaos in the Capitol – A Nation Divided, hosted by Lynda Lopez, on Friday, January 8, 2021, which was nationally syndicated on Entercom stations.