D.C. Commemorates One-Year Anniversary of Capitol Attack, Sen. Schatz Addresses Ongoing Threat on Senate Floor

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and addressed the ongoing threats. “A year ago, there was an attempted overthrow of American democracy right here in this building. We came perilously close to losing everything that night. Police officers were maimed and killed. Custodial workers and Senate staffers were hiding, with zero protection,” said Senator Schatz.

“One year later, and I’m even more worried now. Donald Trump is now defining fealty to him by one thing and one thing only – are you willing to install him into power regardless of the vote count? And so now every Republican politician and election official – secretaries of state, county election commissioners, United States Senate candidates – have to promise to put Trump above democracy itself. And they are doing it!”President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation. Congress held a moment of silence on the House floor and a prayer vigil on the steps of the Capitol.

“These events are intended as an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment, in a spirit of unity, patriotism and prayerfulness,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Over 130 organizations gathered at the National Mall to hold a candle vigil. Historians and lawmakers gave first-person accounts of the siege.

The Capitol insurrection resulted in five deaths from the day of and shortly after by suicides of Capitol security who fought to protect lawmakers and the Capitol on Jan. 6.  Insurrectionists, Trump followers, planned to stop members of Congress to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Schatz said, “If we take a moment and we realize what’s at stake, we will realize what is required. It will require Republicans to stand up to an autocrat. It will require Democrats to stop arguing amongst ourselves. It will require reporters to write stories that get fewer clicks than whatever BS feels like the news of the day. It will require citizens to understand that democracy in this country is not what we have, it is what we do, and it is never, ever guaranteed.”More than 700 people have been charged by the Justice Department in connection with the attack.

The House select committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection plans to release an interim report with initial findings by this summer.