That answer probably depends on whether one supported or is sympathetic to their cause or not, even although it really shouldn’t.

The election had already occurred. The protest=>riot was attempting to stall the certification of that election while possibly removing a few members of Congress.

You just used softer language to say the same thing I said.

Also, their organizing rhetoric, i.e. "Stop the Steal," did not imply an attempt to be annoying and temporarily delay the election.

Protests do not stall free elections anyway.

In the US the election in November is the beginning of the election process. Winning the election in November is the first step to becoming president, but winning that election does not make one president. The process is this:

- An election occurs which allocates electoral college delegates for each state

- Those delegates meet and cast their votes for the candidate of their choosing.

- After they vote, each state creates a Certificate of Vote. This is the actual legal document that elects one as president. 6 copies are made: one sent to the VP, one sent to the SoS, two to a US archivist, and two to the chief judge from the closest district court.

- In early January, Congress meets to count the certificates. That is the actual election. Everything before then is just process.

So while the election had occurred, the process was not yet finalized. Until those votes are counted by Congress, then the person elected by the people in November is not elected president. The rioters were absolutely attempting to disrupt the most crucial part of the process -- the thing that legally elected Joe Biden president.