The White House says President Joe Biden will mark the first anniversary of January 6, 2021, revolt on Thursday morning, focusing on the “singular responsibility” former President Donald Trump had in the attack on the Capitol.
In Washington, DC, a year ago, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building after the then-president’s rally on the Ellipse outside the White House, where they cast doubt on the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The events of the day led to the second impeachment of Trump by the House of Representatives. The rebellion launched the largest investigation in FBI history, with 700 people arrested and hundreds more criminals still at large. And a House Select Committee continues to investigate events leading up to the riots. Two Trump aides – Mark Meadows and Steve Bannon – have been held in criminal contempt for refusing to cooperate with committee investigators after being summoned.
On Capitol Hill, a series of events hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will follow Biden’s speech to mark the January 6 anniversary, including a moment of silence on the House floor and testimonials from lawmakers about the harsh attack.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told Biden “the importance of what happened at the Capitol and that President Trump has singular responsibility for the chaos and carnage,” during his speech at the Statue Hall inside the Capitol building at Wednesday’s press briefing. During.
In a preview of the president’s remarks, Psaki said Biden “will also push back the lies spread by the former president and seek to mislead the American people and his own supporters, as well as divert attention from his role and what happened.” “
Incidents of rebellion occurred just two weeks before Biden’s inauguration, which cast a shadow over the new president’s administration. And despite multiple court cases, failed state election audits and countless conspiracy claims, many Trump supporters continue to doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s presidency.
Speaking of that violent day, which included five deaths, asked the president “the importance of history, the peaceful transfer of power” as well as what the United States needs to “protect its democracy and look forward to “Hope to discuss. ,
Biden will address “silence and complacency” among Republican lawmakers from January 6, as well as voting rights, Psaki said, noting that Trump “abused his office, undermined the Constitution and sought more power.” In an effort to make the American people ignore their oaths to themselves and their allies.”
Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to comment on the anniversary of the rebellion on Thursday.
According to a White House official, Harris expected to say “that the rebellion was not just an attack on our Capitol, but an attack on our freedoms and values.”
“The Vice President will underline that the American experiment is being tested, and that we must work to secure voting rights, ensure free and fair elections, and protect our democracy for generations to come. We will also honor the women. Enforcement, who fought to preserve our democracy, protected the Capitol and saved the lives of those present there,” the official said in a statement.
While Trump was expected to hold a news conference scheduled for the anniversary of the rebellion, it was abruptly canceled. Allies warned that this would create unnecessary problems for Republicans and themselves.
Instead of his news conference on Thursday, Trump is expected to air his grievances at a campaign-style rally in Arizona next week.
MPs and historians to celebrate anniversary
In late December, Pelosi announced events at the Capitol to commemorate a year since the deadly attack.
In a letter to Democrats, Pelosi wrote that the events are intended “as reflection, remembrance and observance of recommendation in the spirit of unity, patriotism and prayer.”
In the afternoon there will be a moment of prayer and silence on the floor of the House. Then there will be a general talk featuring historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and John Meacham. Pelosi’s letter said the discussion would serve “to establish and preserve the January 6 narrative.”
Later, lawmakers will have time to provide testimonials to “share their reflections of the day”. Colorado Democratic Rep. Jason Crowe will preside over the testimonials. Crowe was one of the lawmakers trapped inside the chamber of the House during the attack and was famously portrayed helping an aide who appeared to be in distress.
“A trauma, any trauma, affects everyone,” Crowe, a former Army Ranger, told CNN shortly after the attack. “No one is immune to it and everyone reacts to it differently.”
Later, a prayer meeting will be held on the steps between the Capitol where House and Senate lawmakers can attend.
While congressional Democrats have put together events throughout the day to call attention to what happened during the rebellion, congressional Republicans, in contrast, are reluctant to talk much about it and Trump’s in particular. Reluctant to address the role.
In a letter to House Republicans early in the new year, House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy briefly mentioned the January 6 anniversary, but did not include any mention of the former president.
“The action of the day was lawless and as wrong as it could be. Our capital should never be compromised and law breakers should face legal repercussions and full accountability,” he wrote.
McCarthy then moved on to criticize the Democrats.
“Unfortunately, a year later, the majority party doesn’t seem close to answering the central question of how the Capitol was left so prepared and what needs to be done to ensure it never happens again. Instead, They are using it as a partisan political weapon to further divide our country,” he said.
GOP leaders will not be in the Capitol on Thursday as the House session ends and several Republican senators are on their way to Georgia to attend a memorial service for the late Sen.