What is treason?
en.wikipedia.org
Here's Wikipedia's version:
"
Treason is the
crime of attacking a
state authority to which one owes allegiance.
[1] This typically includes acts such as participating in a
war against one's native country, attempting to
overthrow its government,
spying on its military, its diplomats, or its
secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or
attempting to kill its
head of state."
This is Article 3, Section 3 of the US Constitution's version
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no
Attainder of Treason shall work
Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
In 1807 the US Supreme Court said: "To constitute a levying of war, there must be an assemblage of persons for the purpose of effecting by force a treasonable purpose. Enlistments of men to serve against government is not sufficient."
Well, the assemblage of persons did happen. People got together and stormed the Congress building.
Now, you can argue all you like that they weren't trying to start a war, but the reality is no one really knows except these people. Nobody knows whether they were trying to light a match and hope that it would take off, with the aim of toppling the government.
Sounds like trying to wage war on the government to me.