Two year anniversary of January 6th U.S. Capitol riot
Today marks the second anniversary of the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Police have increased security around the Capitol, and President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will hold remembrances.
In December, a House committee investigating the January 6th riot voted to refer former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on criminal charges for his part in the riot, including conspiracy to defraud the US and aiding an insurrection. In response, Trump accused the Committee, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Democratic party of persecuting him, claiming that the charges only make him politically stronger. A recent poll found that 34% of registered voters think Trump bears little or no responsibility for the riot, while 43% think that he committed no crimes in attempting to change the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Democratic politicians will likely use the anniversary as a platform to attack Trump and Republicans who support him, and pressure the DOJ to pursue the Committee’s charges. However, the DOJ may wait to file them until after the 2024 presidential election in order to avoid affecting its outcome and to head off further accusations of partisan bias. If Republicans win the Presidency in 2024, these charges will likely not be pursued, although other ongoing investigations into Trump may continue.
