PRESIDENT Joe Biden addressed the nation on the anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riots, but former president Donald Trump will instead be discussing his grievances at a rally in Arizona later this month.
He and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks at the National Statuary Hall.
The White House said Biden would push back against false claims that his election triumph was the result of widespread fraud, as well as attempts to downplay the violence of the worst assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812.
"The president is going to speak to the truth of what happened, not the lies that some have spread since, and the peril it has posed to the rule of law and our system of democratic governance," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Trump has canceled a press conference he had planned to hold in Florida on the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Trump said in a statement Tuesday: “In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media, I am canceling the January 6th Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday, and instead will discuss many of those important topics at my rally on Saturday, January 15th, in Arizona,” Trump wrote.
The event would have been Trump’s second press conference since leaving office.
Read our January 6 live blog for the latest news and updates…
- G. P. Rodriguez
Anniversary vigil
People hold up candles during a candlelight vigil on the National Mall in observance of the first anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
More than 700 people have been charged by the Justice Department in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot, according to CNN.
Of the more than 50 defendants who have been sentenced for their role, fewer than half were sent to jail for their crimes, the outlet noted.
Credit: Reuters - G. P. Rodriguez
Why Biden didn't name Trump
After the national speech on Thursday, Biden was asked why he didn't use Trump's name in his remarks, to which he said he didn't turn the moment into "a contemporary political battle" between himself and the former president.
"I think we just have to face the facts. What happens? Draw a clearer picture for the American people. It's not about me.
"It's not about the vice president. It really isn't. That's the thing that bothers me most about the sort of attitude that seems to be emerging to some degree in American politics. It's not about you, it's about me. That's how it's viewed.
"But it's not about me. It's not about whether I'm president or she's vice president. It's about the system. And about somebody who decides to put himself above everything. And so, but I did not want to turn it into a contemporary political battle between me and the president. It's way beyond that."
- G. P. Rodriguez
Trump's response to Biden
Shortly after president Biden's remarks, Trump responded to Biden in a statement, saying he had used his name "to try to further divide America."
"Biden, who is destroying our Nation with insane policies of borders, corrupt elections, disastrous energy policies, unconstitutional mandates, and devastating school closures, used my name today to try to further divide America.
"This political theater is all just a distraction for the fact Biden has completely lost control of Covid (record numbers!), is no longer Energy Independent, inflation is rampant, our Military is in chaos, and our exit, or surrender, from Afghanistan, was perhaps the most embarrassing day in the long and distinguished history of the United States and so much more," Trump added.
The 45th president continued: "Biden is working hard to try and deflect the incompetent job he is doing, and has done, on the horrible Afghanistan withdrawal (surrender), the Borders, COVID, Inflation, loss of Energy Independence, and much more.
"Everything he touches turns to failure. That's what you get when you have a rigged Election."
- G. P. Rodriguez
President Biden's speech
Biden and Vice President Harris delivered remarks on Thursday at the National Statuary Hall on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
"We are a great nation. We must be absolutely clear about what is true and what is a lie," Biden said.
"And here is the truth: The former President of the United States of America has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election.
"His bruised ego matters more to him than our … Constitution. He refused to accept the results of the election."
Biden continued: "It's the first time in our history, a president who just lost an election tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
"He's not just a former president, he's a defeated president."
- G. P. Rodriguez
Trump asked rioters to go home, continued
The outgoing president insisted “we don’t want anybody hurt.”
Before telling his supporters they are “very special” and “we love you,” Trump acknowledged this is a “tough” time.
He added: “There’s never been a period of time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us.
“This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play in to the hands of these people. We have to have peace.”
The president urged people to “go home and go home in peace” – insisting that he knows how they feel.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Trump asked rioters to go home
In a video statement on January 6, 2021, Trump said: “I know your pain. I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us.
“It was a landslide election and everyone knows it – especially the other side.
“But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have Law and Order. We have to respect our great people in Law and Order.”
There is no evidence to support Trump's claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Sweet gesture
A man was pictured handing out 60 roses to DC cops on the one year anniversary of the Capitol Riots, as a thank you.
Biden and Vice President Harris delivered remarks on Thursday at the National Statuary Hall on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
Credit: Alex Kent for The US Sun - G. P. Rodriguez
Over 700 people charged
In the year since protesters broke down barricades in front of the Capitol building and forced their way onto the premises while Congress was certifying the 2020 election, the US Attorney's Office for Washington, DC, has changed over 700 people.
Four people died on the day of the attack, including police officer Brian Sicknick, who suffered two strokes a day after the riot.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Four police officers died after riots
Five people died in the Capitol riots as protesters tried to stop lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
Four police officers later died by suicide. Officer Kyle DeFreytag, 26, was found dead on July 10 last year.
On the day of the insurrection, he helped crews enforce the curfew put in place after the Capitol building was breached.
Gunther Hashida was found dead in his home on July 29. He joined the Metropolitan Police Department in 2003 and was part of the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Division.
Twelve-year MPD veteran Jeffrey Smith and 16-year veteran Howard Liebengood also died by suicide.
Smith, 35, shot himself in the head on January 15, while Liebengood died three days after the attack.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Four police officers died after riots
Five people died in the Capitol riots as protesters tried to stop lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
Four police officers later died by suicide. Officer Kyle DeFreytag, 26, was found dead on July 10 last year.
On the day of the insurrection, he helped crews enforce the curfew put in place after the Capitol building was breached.
Gunther Hashida was found dead in his home on July 29. He joined the Metropolitan Police Department in 2003 and was part of the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Division.
Twelve-year MPD veteran Jeffrey Smith and 16-year veteran Howard Liebengood also died by suicide.
Smith, 35, shot himself in the head on January 15, while Liebengood died three days after the attack.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Lawmakers hold candle vigil
Democratic Rep Steny Hoyer, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi take part in a prayer vigil on the first anniversary of the assault on the US Capitol, on the East Steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2022.
Credit: AFP or licensors - G. P. Rodriguez
Pence on the riots
Last June Pence told Republicans in New Hampshire that he will likely never “see eye to eye” with Trump regarding the insurrection.
He said: “As I said that day, Jan. 6 was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol.
“You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office, and I don’t know if we’ll ever see eye to eye about that day," he continued.
"But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years."
- G. P. Rodriguez
Mob 'got close to nuclear football'
During the riots, Pence, his wife, and daughter were rushed out by security staff.
Secret Service agents and a military officer carrying the “nuclear football” followed closely behind.
Officials who oversee the process to launch missiles were reportedly unaware that the "football" was potentially in danger.
Impeachment manager Rep. Stacey Plaskett said: “As the rioters reached the top of the stairs, they were within 100 feet of where the vice president was sheltering with his family, and they were just feet away from one of the doors to this chamber.”
- G. P. Rodriguez
Pence felt 'betrayed'
Mike Pence felt "scared, angry, and betrayed" during the Capitol insurrection one year ago, an ex-White House staffer revealed, as rampaging protesters threatened to “hang” the former vice president.
Olivia Troye, a former staffer on the White House Coronavirus Task Force, told The Sun that she feared violence would erupt on January 6.
She revealed: "I think the most jarring thing was seeing the gallows set up outside the Capitol and the ‘Hang Mike Pence’ chants toward someone who had remained so loyal for many years.
“He is known to the GOP as a very traditional, conservative Republican."
Troye said she has no doubt that Pence was "angry, scared and worried" as he was with his family when the chaos unfolded.
She believes the former vice president felt a sense of betrayal.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Trump cancelled January 6 rally
Trump canceled a press conference he had planned to hold in Florida for the January 6 anniversary.
In a statement Tuesday evening, Trump said that he would instead be discussing his grievances at a rally he has planned in Arizona later this month.
“In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media, I am canceling the January 6th Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday, and instead will discuss many of those important topics at my rally on Saturday, January 15th, in Arizona,” Trump wrote.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Biden seen wiping tears on anniversary
President Joe Biden wiped away his tears as Kamala Harris spoke about the Capitol riot before taking several hits at his predecessor Donald Trump.
Biden and Vice President Harris delivered remarks on Thursday at the National Statuary Hall on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
The president was photographed in the wings tearing up while Harris addressed the nation.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Who is Ashley Babbitt?
Babbitt was an Air Force vet with 14 years in the service, during which she did four tours of duty.
She was a high-level security official throughout her time in service.
Babbitt was shot in the chest during the mayhem inside the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Video footage captured the sound of the gunshot and showed the woman crumpling to the floor from multiple angles.
She was reportedly shot by Capitol Police.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Officer Eugene Goodman praised as hero
When rioters broke into the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, Goodman found himself as the lone officer standing between a big gathering of rioters and the Senate chamber, which had not yet been evacuated, while the insurgents pushed their way through the structure.
Goodman enticed the crowd to follow him away from the chamber, preventing a considerably more heated conflict between the rioters and the officers guarding the unarmed senators and their aides.
He was commended for his heroism by Bernice King for baiting and directing the mob away from the chamber.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Epps' comment
AZCentral reported Epps said he needed to see the video, but when sent a transcript of his comments, he said, “The only thing that meant is we would go in the doors like everyone else. It was totally, totally wrong the way they went in.”
There is no evidence in the video that Epps ever entered the Capitol building.
- G. P. Rodriguez
Who is Ray Epps?
Epps is a resident of Queen Creek, Arizona, and is the owner of the Knotty Barn wedding venue. The information on the website says Epps grew up on a cattle farm, spending most of his career as a contractor.
In a House oversight hearing on October 21, Attorney General Merrick Garland testified about the January 6 Capitol riots.
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky questioned Garland about a video shown from the riots that appears to show Epps advocating for people to go into the Capitol.
The video was shown several times throughout Garland’s questioning, but he refused to respond.
In the video that surfaced from the day before the Capitol riots, Epps is apparently heard saying, “We need to go into the Capitol.”
- Caitlin Hornik
President Biden recalls January 6, 2021
Biden began his remarks by referencing the events of January 6, 2021.
"To state the obvious, one year ago today in this sacred place, democracy was attacked.
Simply attacked," the president said.
- Caitlin Hornik
Harris speaks of 'fragility' and 'strength' of democracy
"If we are not vigilant, if we do not defend it, democracy will simply not stand," the Vice President said in her remarks this morning.
"The violent assault that took place here … that reflects the fragility of democracy.
"Yet the resolve I saw in our elected leaders … their resolve not to yield but to certify the election … that reflects its strength."
- Caitlin Hornik
Vice President Kamala Harris recalls January 6, 2021
Harris was in a classified hearing hours before the attack occurred on this date last year.
She remembers "converting filing cabinets into barricades."
"On January 6, we all saw what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful," she said in her speech this morning.
- Caitlin Hornik
Ashli Babbitt's mother speaks, continued
Since her daughter's death last year, Witthoeft has said she wants answers and the family announced it would sue the Capitol police for $10million in damages.
It came after police chiefs said the cop who shot Babbitt, who they would not identify, would not face prosecution.
Lieutenant Michael Leroy Byrd, 53, came forward in an interview last August and named himself as the officer involved.
"I love and miss my daughter. This country needs to stand up for my daughter," Witthoeft said.
- Caitlin Hornik
Ashli Babbitt's mother speaks
Ashli Babbit's mom has claimed that her daughter was "publically executed' and had "no insurrection in her heart" on the first anniversary of her fatal shooting in the Capitol riot.
Micki Witthoeft exclusively told The Sun on Thursday that she believes Babbitt was a "proud patriot" who was killed while "exercising her first amendment right."
Witthoeft gathered outside Capitol buildings with friends and held a picture of her daughter as she claimed that the cop who shot Babbitt should be "held accountable."
Babbit, 35, was among the hundreds of people who swarmed the Capitol on January 6, after a Donald Trump rally.
She was the only person killed during the chaos.
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