Pence prevented a fall into chaos, and 3 other takeaways from Jan. 6 hearing

A committee exhibit shows former Vice President Mike Pence talking on the phone from his secure location during the riot, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol holds a hearing on Thursday. (Susan Walsh/AP)

The moment was dramatic.

Rioters had overrun law enforcement in the U.S. Capitol. Just 40 feet from the vice president of the United States and his team – and hearing the din of the rioters – the Secret Service was hurrying to evacuate the group, into a car and out of there.