Analysis: Angry hordes storming the US Capitol reflect Trump’s desire for power at all costs 

Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol

Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

For some time many senior Republicans have been wondering what they unleashed by backing Mr Trump in the first place. As he left they had their answer — a desire for power at all costs, regardless of the Constitution.

With his supporters trying to block the Constitutional process of counting the electoral votes Senate leader Mitch McConnell and even vice president Mike Pence, abandoned the president, refusing to go along with his claims of fraud.

For them loyalty to the Constitution eventually trumped loyalty to a populist who, with controversy, brought victory.

Republican leaders and voters also blamed Mr Trump for losing the two Senate seats in Georgia, believing that his claims of voter fraud suppressed the party’s turnout.

Donald Trump held a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election 

Credit: REUTERS/Jim Bourg

The importance of being a winner should never be underestimated in US politics. Since the election, and compounded after Georgia, the stench of loss has begun circulating around Mr Trump and Republican leaders don’t like it.

Ted Cruz and a handful of other senators gambled that by objecting to the election results they would find favour with Mr Trump.

They seek his blessing to become the Republican party presidential nomination for themselves in 2024. Fellow Republicans accused Mr Cruz and others of "playing with fire". That prediction came true.

But if many Republicans feel shame at the scenes at the Capitol there are a significant number of Americans who do not.

It was a clear sign that "Trumpism" itself is still alive and well, and Mr Trump will continue to command the support of a volatile section of the Republican party.

In what he may consider exile from the White House Mr Trump will continue to command that support.

Those who came from around the United States to Washington will go home and continue the fight. As Mr McConnell warned, America’s democracy now faces a "death spiral" which could turn violent.

With such a large group of people, loyal to one man, the future looks uncertain. Mr Trump once said he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue, and his fans would not care.

Much now rides on how far Mr Trump is willing to push that loyalty.

The question for Republican politicians now is do they finally cut Mr Trump loose and move beyond him.