A year after the deadly January 6th insurrection, it’s clear the lies and disinformation that led to throngs of rioters overrunning the Capitol as Congress met to count the Electoral College votes has only gotten worse. The spread of this disinformation has poisoned political discourse and served as justification for states to pass new election laws that make it harder to vote and easier for partisans to take over election administration for political gain.
The attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power on January 6, 2021, shook the nation. As Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) has warned: “That this mob attacked the Capitol with the encouragement of prominent elected officials is a chilling reminder of President Reagan’s warning that ‘freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction’ … If we avoid confronting what happened [on January 6th], we can be sure that intimidation, coercion, and violence will become a defining feature of our politics for generations to come.”
What should history remember about the January 6th attack on the Capitol and its aftermath? Here are some of the most important facts and statistics that illustrate why it’s critical to remain steadfastly committed to protecting our democracy and our democratic institutions, where the will of the voters determines the outcome of elections.
Sources: Brennan Center for Justice, CBS News, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, CNN, Congress.gov, NBC News, New York Times, Reuters, testimony of U.S. Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton, USA Today, and Washington Post.
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