Local reactions to rioters storming the US Capitol

<<(alan van zandt reporting) watching the storming of the u.s. capitol building was shocking -- but locally here at home, the anger demonstrated by protesters over the result of the 2020 presidential election was not surprising."both sides have been extremely exercised against each other.

The division in our country has become greater and greater.

I'd say that there's greater division in our country since the american civil war."steven greiert is the chair of the buchanan county republican central committee -- speaking for himself -- and not the party -- he believes there was widespread fraud in the presidential election won by democrat joe biden .

However, greiert also says he does not approve of much of what happened on wednesday, and believes those responsible for destruction of property or injuring anyone else should be held responsible.."i'm not in favor of all of what happened inside the capitol today.

Protesting outside, i think that's perfectly fair."but others believe that what happened in the nation's capitol today was more than just a protest.melinda kovacs, political science professor, expert: "i'm still trying to find the correct terminology.

I think a riot is a useful term to use.

I think insurrection is a correct term to use but i don't know what we want to call this.

Coup comes to mind."missouri western political science professor melinda kovac does agree with greiert in that the stage for much of what happened on wednesday in washington had already been set.

Melinda kovacs, political science professor, expert: "there has been rhetoric that has been building and setting the stage for this.

I am sad.

I am outraged today."it used to be democrats and republicans could argue in congress about various issues and really go after each other but afterwards go out for dinner and sit down and talk about things they disagree about in a civil manner.

Civility has really gone out the window."