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Missourians Respond To Insurrection On Capitol Hill

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II hours after pro-Trump extremists seized the Senate Chamber. Political scientists share their insights on the significance of this event and the aftermath they predict.

Rep. Cleaver echoed other elected officials calling yesterday's events a "coup d'etat attempt." Cleaver placed the blame for the mob's actions on outgoing President Trump, calling the insurrection "the most embarrassing day for the United States in its history." Audience members shared their thoughts and reactions as well.

Long-time political watchers analyzed what the fallout could be for Republicans in general and several, like Missouri Senator Josh Hawley in particular. Professor Peverill Squire called this "without question one of the most disgraceful episodes certainly we have witnessed in our lifetimes."

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Steve Kraske is an associate teaching professor of journalism at UMKC, a political columnist for The Kansas City Star and has hosted "Up to Date" since 2002. He worked as the full-time political correspondent for The Star from 1994-2013 covering national, state and local campaigns. He also has covered the statehouses in Topeka and Jefferson City.
Danette (Danie) Alexander first came to KCUR in 2007 as an intern for Up to Date after completing her B.A. in Communications at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. After her KCUR internship was completed, Danie continued to spend her mornings assisting senior producer Stephen Steigman as a volunteer with the show. Her radio experience also includes stints with public radio's New Letters on the Air as a broadcast engineer and on local public radio as host of a weekly overnight call-in show.
Chris Young