I was working at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots. Here’s what I think.

About four years ago, I was selected as a 2021 spring intern for an undisclosed senator. The third day of my internship the Capitol was attacked. Today, I’m wrestling with the fact that many hometown friends — who flooded my phone with calls and messages, worried about my safety — ended up voting for the very person responsible for the chaos.

First. Let’s rewind.

This is what I remember.

As an intern, you’re primarily responsible for fielding calls and talking to constituents. My first two days on the job I received threats ranging from, “We are coming” to “We are going to drag undisclosed senator out of your office by his neck.” I was told that those kinds of calls had been happening for about two weeks and that we were only supposed to report direct threats, like the latter above. I thought if this was something that’s been happening for weeks, then surely security and or Capitol Police were aware and on standby, ready to handle any kind of issue or crisis.

The evening of the 5th, before leaving the office, we were instructed to not take the metro or bus the next morning, but instead to order ubers or lyfts directly to our building’s front door. Pricey, but we would be reimbursed.

I remember riding in the back of the lyft, passing by groups of people waving and carrying Trump-Pence flags, American flags, posters, and rifles. I safely got into the office and began fielding calls…