A large crowd of people are shown forcing their way past armed security officers at the US Capitol building.

A lens on the US after violence on Capitol Hill

Full Episode

Trump supporters are shown breaking through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021.

Julio Cortez/AP

The US has presented itself as a beacon of democracy around the world. How have the events of this week impacted the US’ image? And, among those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were supporters of QAnon, a dangerous conspiracy theory that has grown internationally. Also, host Carol Hills speaks with Sri Lankan writer Indi Samarajiva who shares his experience living through the recent coup in his country and the violent events that followed.

In This Episode

Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the West wall of the the US Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
‘I fear for our democracy,’ says Rep. Mondaire Jones in calling for Trump’s removal
Special Coverage
A protester walks past the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.
‘The death of American exceptionalism’: Views from abroad on US Capitol attack 
Special Coverage
The World reacts to America’s crisis 
Conspiracy theories and the storming of the Capitol 
Enormous confidence in America’s capacity for renewal
What law enforcement considers a threat 
Explaining the events in Washington, DC, for a Mexican audience 
What’s the view from China on violence in the US?
Violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump storm the US Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
‘Even if a coup fails, it still damages your government’: What the US can learn from Sri Lanka’s coup attempt
Special Coverage