Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2026 – As the United States marked the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, the nation’s deep political divisions were on full display. Democrats in Congress organized somber vigils to honor law enforcement officers and victims, framing the event as an attempted coup orchestrated by former President Donald Trump. In stark contrast, the Trump White House launched a dedicated webpage accusing then–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of security lapses and highlighting recent pardons for those involved in the unrest.
Senate Democrats, spearheaded by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, gathered on the Capitol steps for a candlelight vigil. Participants paid tribute to more than 140 police officers injured during the chaos, as well as to the lives lost, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died the following day, and rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by law enforcement while attempting to breach the building. “This was no mere protest—it was an insurrection incited by Donald Trump to undermine our democracy,” Schumer declared in a passionate address. Jeffries echoed the sentiment, urging Americans to remember the day as a “dark chapter” that tested the resilience of democratic institutions.
The vigil included testimonies from surviving officers and family members of victims, emphasizing the ongoing trauma and the need for accountability. Democrats called for renewed efforts to protect elections and prevent future threats, with some referencing ongoing investigations into the events of that day.
Meanwhile, the White House under President Trump took a decidedly different approach. A newly unveiled section on the official White House website, titled “The Truth About January 6,” directly blamed Pelosi for rejecting offers to deploy the National Guard ahead of the riot, claiming her decisions led to inadequate security preparations. The page also referenced a Republican-led congressional report alleging FBI involvement in provoking the crowd, though these claims have been widely disputed by independent fact-checkers and law enforcement agencies.
Adding to the controversy, the administration celebrated Trump’s January 2025 pardons for nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the riot. “These patriots were unfairly targeted by a weaponized justice system,” the webpage stated, portraying the pardons as a correction of “deep state” overreach. Trump himself issued a statement via social media, calling January 6 a “day of love” and reiterating his baseless claims of widespread election fraud in 2020.
The dueling narratives underscore America’s fractured political landscape, with no joint congressional or national commemoration planned. Public opinion remains split: polls show Democrats overwhelmingly view the riot as an attack on democracy, while many Republicans see it as a legitimate protest or even a setup. Historians and analysts warn that such polarization could further erode trust in institutions, especially as the country approaches midterm elections.
As remembrances continue across the nation—from quiet memorials in local communities to heated debates online—the fifth anniversary serves as a reminder of how January 6 continues to shape—and divide—the American story.
