Shaheen Statement Ahead of 1-Year Anniversary of Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol:

“One year ago, our nation learned the strength and fragility of our democracy. The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history and pushed our republic to the precipice. Any effort to re-write that day and diminish the severity of what happened undermines our ability to prevent such an atrocity from happening again and minimizes the destruction and trauma experienced by those at the hands of the insurrectionists and families who lost loved ones,” said Shaheen.

She continued, “As we mark this solemn anniversary, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is hard at work to uncover what happened one year ago so we can ensure it never happens again, and that every terrorist who participated in this assault is brought to justice. The attack on the Capitol was not merely a riot – it was a violent insurrection based on fraudulent claims by the former President, his allies and lawmakers in an attempt for President Trump to hold onto power and delegitimize the results of a free and fair election. Most plainly: it was an attempted coup. I stood on the Senate floor that night, joined by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and together we condemned the attack and reaffirmed the need to end the partisan vitriol that led to that day. The bipartisan repudiation of the violence, and our determination to finish our job and certify the election in the aftermath of such an atrocity, are needed now more than ever.”

Shaheen concluded, “January 6th is a difficult day for all Americans, and especially those who bore witness to the violence, including Capitol Police officers who held the line to protect lawmakers, staffers and Capitol complex workers who sheltered in place for hours. The tragic loss of members of the Capitol Police force still weighs heavy on all of us and my heart goes out to their families as they grieve and heal. My thoughts are with all those struggling, and I want to remind them that they are not alone and there will be justice for the crimes committed. I also want to thank members of the National Guard – including our New Hampshire National Guard – who were deployed in the days that followed to quell the turmoil and ensure a peaceful transfer of power at President Biden’s inauguration. The strength of our democracy is measured by the resolve of those who will defend it. Our democracy prevailed last year, but it should never face such a test again – we cannot allow history to repeat itself.”