Today is January 6, a date that remains deeply significant in American history. On this day in 2021, Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, which had been won by Joe Biden, not Donald Trump. Earlier that day, President Trump spoke to a crowd of supporters and urged them to march to the U.S. Capitol. He told them to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard,” but he also used strong language like “fight like hell.”
What followed was shocking to many Americans. A large group of people entered the Capitol building, interrupting the certification process. Capitol Police officers were attacked, lawmakers were evacuated, and the event was broadcast live across the world. Since then, many people have debated what responsibility President Trump holds for what happened.
According to CBS News, President Trump later granted pardons to more than 1,500 defendants connected to the events of January 6. These pardons removed their criminal liability. This decision has raised serious questions among Capitol Police officers and political leaders. Many ask whether the public should ignore what they saw unfold that day on video and through firsthand accounts.
Four years later, January 6 is still a symbol of division. It remains a reminder of how fragile democracy can be and why truth, accountability, and peaceful processes matter in a free society.