If there are no consequences for Wednesday’s mob raid on the U.S. Capitol, we are in real trouble, because this was just a dress rehearsal for what could come.

Inaction would signal it is OK for armed rebels to assault the seat of our national government in an attempt to stop Congress from doing its job — the constitutionally prescribed job the American people, in all our variety, elected these lawmakers to do.

We’re all fighting for our lives here, hoping not to get COVID-19, but let’s put the coronavirus pandemic aside for a moment. The United States of America is in survival mode today.

And it’s all because of one man — Donald J. Trump, soon to be ex-president of the United States of America. When all else failed, he incited a mob to violence.

When millions of people obey your every word, you are responsible when they do terrible things at your urging. Trump, saying the election was stolen from him, invited his followers to rally in Washington Wednesday and told them to march over to the Capitol and let loose their anger. He said it was time to stop being fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. “We are going to have to fight much harder,” he told them. “You will never take back our country with weakness.” His lawyer Rudy Giuliani called from the stage for “trial by combat.”

That’s a textbook example of how to turn an angry crowd into a violent mob, and guess what? It worked. That armed mob walked directly to the Capitol, broke in, fought with police, smashed, vandalized, stole from lawmakers’ offices and prompted the congressional session to be evacuated.

Members of Congress were meeting at that moment to ratify the Electoral College’s votes naming Joe Biden as the new president, as prescribed by the Constitution’s 12th Amendment. Some challenges were expected, but not enough to overturn Biden’s victory. Trump had plenty of chances to contest the result, including more than 60 failed lawsuits. Every state certified its results. It was over.

But Wednesday’s attack was a long time in the making. Trump and his allies continually spew lies, most recently about the election. Those lies galvanized his followers, who are ready to do and believe whatever Trump says. Without those lies, Wednesday’s assault would never have happened.

“The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth,” Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said on the Senate floor Wednesday night after the attack. “That is the burden, and the duty, of leadership.”

As the mob forced its way in, police shot and killed one of Trump’s supporters, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran who believed this was “the storm,” an apocalyptic battle in which QAnon conspiracy theorists believe Trump will lead them to victory over the establishment, which they believe is run by pedophiles. Three more died as well. Others were injured, including dozens of police officers. Tear gas was all over, people running and hiding. Members of Congress, their staff and the media whisked away from the House and Senate chambers for their own safety. Pandemonium ensued. Anarchy.

No, it wasn’t Antifa activists disguised as Trumpers — a disinformation campaign that caught the imagination of many people. It was exactly what it looked like. It’s not like the rioters were ashamed of what they did, and Trump had egged them on to do it.

There’s no doubt what Trump has been trying to do — stay on as president. That’s a government takeover from the legally elected president, Biden.

These streams of rioters were not peaceful protesters. They were criminals. So are those who incited them to break in and take over the Capitol.

Arrest and prosecute those responsible, including Trump. It’s not enough to kick him out of office. We need to lock him up.

If we don’t take serious action as soon as possible, it will give the impression that this attack on our American government was OK — that votes can be overturned by violence. After all, if a crowd of citizens overtook the Capitol, what would happen if a paramilitary group tried it with more armaments, intent on injuring or killing people?

This chaos has already encouraged similar incidents at statehouses around the nation, including New York’s Capitol in Albany, where two people were stabbed at a pro-Trump protest Wednesday.

Swift punishment will ensure the safety of Americans and make sure our federal government survives these final days of Trump’s presidency.