US Politics: Here Are The 6 Biggest Scandals, Moments Of 2021

From the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots to the Cuomo brothers facing career-threatening scandals, 2021 was filled with some bizarre and formative political moments that will be remembered for years to come.

Polarization Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

When will we not have to wear masks? The answer remains unclear, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country. The U.S. has had the most cases and deaths in the world, as the Delta and Omicron variants continue to create unease.

The pandemic has shaped life in the 2020s and political infighting has not slowed down over vaccines, mask-wearing and health guidelines.

Throughout the year, many Republican lawmakers and pundits showed little concern about COVID cases, while often dismissing wearing masks and getting vaccinations.

The Jan. 6 Capitol Riots

Just six days into the year, and as the Senate sought to certify the presidential election and Joe Biden’s win, Donald Trump supporters stormed from the Ellipse to the Capitol after Trump's speech. It was pandemonium, as lawmakers and staff had to be evacuated, while rioters assaulted law enforcement officers and vandalized $1.5 million in property. Some rioters had called for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence.

There were five deaths and over 725 rioters have been arrested.

The riots lasted several hours in what was the first occupation of the Capitol since the British takeover during the Revolutionary War.

Evidence has surfaced that members of Trump’s inner circle and other Republican lawmakers were involved in pre-planning the insurrection. Several of Trump's allies have been called to testify to the Jan. 6 Committee investigating the insurrection. Two key Trump allies — Mark Meadows and Steve Bannon — have been held in contempt of Congress.

Trump Gets Impeached For A Second Time, Caught In Other Controversies

In a historic move, the House on Jan. 13 voted to impeach Trump for a second time, this time over the Jan. 6 insurrection. The impeachment did not pass in the Senate, just like the first impeachment.

A day after the insurrection, Trump also lost access to most of his social media accounts. He spent much of 2021 making claims of unfounded voter fraud in the election.

In early July, the Trump Organization and longtime finance chief Allen Weisselberg were charged in a tax fraud scheme. Trump has not faced criminal charges.

Trump also has teased a run for president in 2024.

The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Despite multiple attempts by Trump to derail the process, Biden took the oath of office on Jan. 20. He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Biden had won the 2020 election with 306 electoral votes. He received over 81.2 million votes, the most ever for a presidential candidate.

Biden became the first Roman Catholic U.S. president since John F. Kennedy in 1961. At age 78, Biden also became the oldest U.S. president to begin his term.

Cuomo Brothers Fiasco

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned from office after a report of rampant sexual harassment of women who worked and interacted with him. It later came out that Cuomo's brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, helped Andrew's defense by using his position to inquire about upcoming reporting about the scandal. Chris also helped his brother craft public statements.

Chris was later suspended and then fired from CNN.

Andrew is also under investigation for underreporting nursing home deaths from COVID-19 in New York.

The Afghanistan War Ends After 20 Years

The Taliban rose to power in Afghanistan again after the U.S. announced the withdrawal of all troops from the region in late August. Since the pullout, Afghanistan has been stuck in a humanitarian crisis.

There were mixed feelings about the pullout. The move saw little political opposition in the months preceding the withdrawal, as Biden and Trump had both sought to pull troops from the Middle East country at about the same time.

However, there had been worries of a violent response. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie and other officials were critical of the operation.