On Wednesday, Michelle Laughlin realized something: Joe Biden would be the next president.
She had traveled from Nevada for the "Stop the Steal" rally hoping that a second term for President Trump was still possible. She sang patriotic songs as Trump supporters forcibly invaded the Capitol building. But as night fell, and the occupiers were pushed out and Congress resumed its operations, Laughlin saw with clarity where things are headed.
"I think they're going to certify Biden," she said, "and I think that's a terrible, terrible thing."