We Remember

My first thought was to leave commentary on the fourth anniversary of January 6, 2021, to others. I have little to add to the testimony of Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell (I Was Nearly Killed) or the comprehensive summation by Charlie Sykes (The Enduring Shame), who has written on many occasions about the events of that day and the disgraceful rewriting of its history since then. Nor do I have much to add to what I have previously written in this space about the attempt to overthrow the government of the United States and its aftermath. Yet to remain silent on this day seems not right.

Many of us watched in real time as events unfolded on January 6, 2021, amply documented in video, photos, and, yes, selfies. None of that crowd stands accused of genius. The record of what went down at the Capitol remains available for all who care enough to witness it. Five people died that day. More than 150 police officers were injured by a mob incited by the man who was then president and who will be president again on January 20.

About 1,583 people have faced federal charges for their role in the attack—including more than 600 facing felony charges for assaulting or resisting police during the chaos.

…

About 180 Jan. 6 defendants have faced charges for carrying a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds, and another 153 have faced charges for destruction of government property. (Cheney, DOJ: 200 Jan. 6 cases pending)

Gonell writes poignantly of his experience and the sense of betrayal he now feels.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEVOTED the last few years of his life to advocacy on behalf of democracy and public safety, I am grateful to see a peaceful transfer of power take place. But I also can’t help but feel a sense of betrayal on this anniversary of January 6th. I feel betrayed by the Department of Justice for not moving faster and with more purpose to hold accountable those who inspired the riot that day. I’m sickened that surviving benefits (Public Safety Officers’ Benefits) have not been approved for officers who were injured, physically and mentally, in the line of duty. I feel betrayed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which chose to declare presidents criminally immune for all “official acts” even if they threaten our constitutional and democratic institutions. I feel betrayed by those people who claim that they support the rule of law but gladly cheer on the people who violently attacked police officers.

And I feel let down by the members of Congress who turned their backs on us even as we saved their lives. And yes, we saved their lives that day.

The betrayal continued when millions of Americans shrugged, mumbled, “but, inflation,” and voted to restore the man responsible to power. It continues each time the record of what happened on January 6 is denied and insurrectionists are spoken of as patriots, political prisoners, or hostages. It will continue if Trump makes good on his pledge to pardon at least some who stormed the Capitol on his behalf.

The morning brought reports that Proud Boy Henry “Enrique” Tarrio joined the chorus of the convicted whining for that pardon. His defense, like that of Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes, is that he did not enter the Capitol on January 6 and was not accused of personally committing acts of violence there. Tarrio claims “he was targeted by the Biden administration for his political views” (Cheney, Former Proud Boys). He was rightly convicted of seditionist conspiracy for helping to orchestrate the attack whose aim was to prevent certification of the 2020 election.

“Meanwhile, the investigators who sought the truth face the threat of criminal charges” (Sykes). A storm of revenge and retribution is in the offing.

January 6 stands with December 7 and September 11 in our nation’s history. These are days of such infamy that the year need not be included in their reference. We remember.

Keep the faith.
Stand with Ukraine.
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References and Related Reading

• Kyle Cheney, DOJ: 200 Jan. 6 cases pending as Trump prepares to retake office, Politico, January 6, 2025

• Kyle Cheney, Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio asks Trump for Jan. 6 pardon, Politico, January 6, 2025

• Aquilino Gonell, I Was Nearly Killed on Jan. 6th. Four Years Later, I Feel Betrayed All Over Again, The Bulwark, January 6, 2025

• Sarah N. Lynch, Trump vowed to pardon Jan. 6 rioters. Here’s what to know, Reuters, January 6, 2025

• Charlie Sykes, The Enduring Shame of January 6, To the Contrary, January 6, 2025