[MtnClimber]

Overthrowing a legitimate election is treason. There are probably 20 ways the overthrow was done. All treason.

[hanamizu]

Overthrowing a legitimate election is treason.

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No, it isn’t. Treason is specifically defined by the Constitution as ‘making war against the United States and/or giving aid and comfort to its enemies.’

Leading Americans into the Capitol with the purpose of later mercilessly prosecuting them later is nasty and foul and quite likely a crime, but it isn’t making war against the U.S.

The Founders went to the trouble of defining treason quite narrowly, since under English/British law treason (and its horrible punishments) could and was used by monarchs and Parliament to go after anyone who greatly displeased them. Not unlike the treatment received/being received by the January 6 protestors.

[silverleaf]

What do you do about an illegitimate election?

Remember a number of states had their own investigations of fraud still in progress. The outcomes would determine the legitimacy of their electors. What many of the protestors wanted was a delay in certification pending state cases outcome. That is not an insurrection.