Washington Post article highlighting Capitol rioters' 'financial troubles' sparks critical reactions on social media

A new Washington Post article that highlighted the "financial troubles" of Capitol rioters has garnered critical responses on social media. The article, written by Todd C. Frankel highlighted the disturbingly similar history of financial problems plaguing almost 60% of the individuals who have been arrested and charged for their involvement in the Capitol riots.

Frankel reported:

"Nearly 60% of the people facing charges related to the Capitol riot showed signs of prior money troubles, including bankruptcies, notices of eviction or foreclosure, bad debts, or unpaid taxes over the past two decades, according to a Washington Post analysis of public records for 125 defendants with sufficient information to detail their financial histories."

He added, "The group's bankruptcy rate, 18%, was nearly twice as high as that of the American public, the Post found. A quarter of them had been sued for money owed to a creditor. And one in five of them faced losing their home at one point, according to court filings."

The analysis also included another alarming detail about business owners and white-collar workers. "In the Capitol attack, business owners and white-collar workers made up 40 percent of the people accused of taking part," and that "Only 9 percent appeared to be unemployed."

An array of social media users, including journalists, politicians, celebrities, and other public figures, weighed in with their take on the analysis. The publication was also blasted for presumably making excuses for the Capitol riots as many Twitter users noted that a substantial number of Americans also face financial troubles regularly but would not storm the Capitol out of frustration.