Trump’s attempted coup was a planned military operation that included a riot

The riot and MAGA protest march provided cover and diversion for the military-style operation. Trump, Bannon, Stone, Flynn likely helped plan the attempted coup, not just incite it.

This article was updated on January 26, 2021.

As the crowd wearing patriotic paraphernalia and MAGA gear — business owners, lawyers, realtors, office types, construction workers, QAnon cultists, police officers, firefighters — that Donald Trump incited to march to the U.S. Capitol on January 6 neared its destination, some noticed a curious development.

A large group was already on the west side of the Capitol, one that looked different from the usual MAGA crowd. They seemed more militant, with many dressed in paramilitary garb, wearing helmets, armor, and vests. They soon reached the west side of the Capitol Building, where hundreds of people were already positioned. Some carried Confederate flags and nooses. Others had lead pipes, baseball bats, and other weapons.

A few wore shirts that read, “MAGA CIVIL WAR,” with the date, Jan. 6, 2021. They were likely members of the anti-government militias Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, male-only neofascist group Proud Boys, or anti-police network Boogaloo Bois.

Others were active and retired military troopers, even officers. Some were off-duty or retired police officers and firefighters. They had radio communication devices and concealed weapons. Some were…