insurrection

Ben Shapiro, in a debate on the Lex Fridman Podcast, argued that the events of January 6th do not meet the legal standards of an insurrection. He pointed out that no one was charged with insurrection under the specific statutes, though some were charged with seditious conspiracy. Shapiro suggested that the most extreme participants had insurrectionist ideas but highlighted that their actions were not part of a well-coordinated attempt led by Donald Trump or the White House. He further discussed Trump's role and the claims made post-election, likening Trump's actions more to a thrashing, desperate behavior rather than a calculated attempt to overthrow the government 1.

In a separate clip, Shapiro spoke about the legal definitions and standards of incitement and insurrection, emphasizing that Trump's actions between November 4 and January 6 did not legally constitute "incitement of insurrection." He critiqued the loose way the media uses the term "incitement" and clarified the specific legal requirements that were not met 2.