A sense of profound emotion was unavoidable today as observers worldwide witnessed over four hours of unrest, with individuals breaching and occupying the Capitol building in Washington D.C., aiming to obstruct the confirmation of the election victory of President-elect Joe Biden. Earlier in the day, these individuals had been urged by the current President, Donald Trump, to gather at the building and demonstrate against what he repeatedly and inaccurately characterized as a fraudulent election, a claim he initially made on the night of the U.S. election in November.

As lawmakers, from their private locations, requested that Trump issue a statement condemning the actions of the rioters, he instead used Twitter to encourage his supporters, referencing a “sacred landslide election victory” that he asserted had been “so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots,” and subsequently shared a video reiterating his unsubstantiated allegations of a “landslide election that was stolen from us.”

This marked the first instance in U.S. history where supporters of a defeated presidential candidate directly interfered with the formal tallying of electoral votes, as highlighted by PBS earlier in the evening. Although Twitter later removed Trump’s posts due to “repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy,” many considered this action insufficient and belated, including numerous Silicon Valley investors who voiced strong disapproval of the outgoing administration and its supporters.

A key question remains as to whether this tumultuous day—occurring as a dozen Senate Republicans and numerous House Republicans intended to challenge the certification of election results—will further deepen societal divisions, or whether, after President Trump leaves office, some of the existing anger will diminish.

Certain investors have expressed that their discontent stems primarily from fundamental principles of human decency, which they felt were often disregarded during the Trump administration.

Deena Shakir, of Lux Capital, previously served in the Obama administration and openly shares her political views on Twitter. However, she stated regarding today’s events that “these are not about politics. What we have seen is a challenge to democracy, an attack on American history, and a stark illustration of the divisions within our country.”

Hunter Walk, a co-founder of the venture firm Homebrew, expressed a similar view in a tweet stating, “don’t be putting [Trump son-in-law and White House advisor] Jared Kushner on cap tables when this is all said and done.” He further explained, “I am comfortable taking a firm public stance on issues I believe are critical human rights concerns.”

Regarding the possibility that today’s events might make it more difficult to invest in or collaborate with individuals who supported Trump’s political rise, Walk suggested that it would not, emphasizing that business considerations remain paramount. “We support talented entrepreneurs and do not impose ideological requirements on those we fund. We have certainly invested in individuals with political views both to the left and right of our own – this is not a concern for us, nor for them.”

To the degree that Walk’s public political positions might deter some promising founders who “would simply prefer their investors remain silent and provide funding,” Walk considers that “acceptable,” stating, “We do not believe we need to compromise our principles to achieve success.”

Shakir, meanwhile, indicated that she does not always have the option of separating politics from her professional life. She described those who disrupted the nation’s capital as “angered proponents of a nationalistic, supremacist ideology that is not only accepted but actively encouraged by the highest levels of our government and amplified through social media.”

Moreover, she pointed out, “Considering my work in healthcare, my own research and discussions have inevitably been influenced by the pandemic, which—whether intentionally or not—has become a political issue.”

Shakir acknowledged that despite her efforts to compartmentalize politics and work, it is currently impossible. “These events and policies shape our present and future, impact the markets that assess our companies, and contribute to emerging trends and opportunities.”

She added today that they also “reflect our values as a nation and as individuals.”