Five years have passed since a moment that left a permanent mark on American history—the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi marked the anniversary by reflecting on the chaos, courage, and the ongoing fight for democracy.
She didn’t hold back in calling the attack what it truly was: an attempted coup aimed at overturning a legitimate election.
Not Just an Isolated Event
Pelosi emphasized that the violence of that day wasn’t a random act or a one-time disruption.
On her social media post, she said January 6 represented the culmination of a broader effort to undermine democratic institutions, erode the rule of law, and challenge the peaceful transfer of power.
According to her, the insurrection was intentionally incited by then-President Donald Trump, designed to cling to power in violation of the Constitution.
“January 6 was not an aberration,” Pelosi wrote.
“It was the peak of efforts to delegitimize democratic processes and subvert the will of the American people.”
Inside the Capitol: Chaos and Danger
Pelosi recounted the terrifying scenes inside the Capitol.
Members of Congress, staff, and journalists were forced to flee for their lives as rioters stormed the building.
She described how people were literally hunted through the halls, while lawmakers’ offices were vandalized and desecrated.
She also highlighted the bravery of law enforcement, many of whom faced brutal attacks.
Officers were “beaten, crushed, and scarred—physically and psychologically,” she said, with some paying the ultimate price in service to the country.
Their courage ensured that, despite the chaos, the constitutional process continued.
Calling Out the Truth
Pelosi made it clear that the attack wasn’t just a symbolic threat—it was a direct attempt to nullify the votes of millions of Americans.
“We must speak plainly: January 6 was an attempted coup,” she said.
It aimed to subvert the will of the people, but ultimately failed because public servants refused to succumb to threats and intimidation.
“On that day, the Constitution held, and we kept the Republic,” she added.
The Fight Isn’t Over
The former Speaker warned that the dangers to democracy didn’t end once order was restored.
She criticized ongoing efforts by some political actors to spread false narratives about the 2020 election and to downplay the events of that day.
Pelosi also spoke against attempts to glorify the attackers or grant them pardons, saying such actions “sanitize an attack on the Constitution itself and endorse lawlessness.”
A Call to Action
For Pelosi, remembering January 6 isn’t enough.
She called for renewed vigilance to protect democracy by safeguarding voting rights, upholding the rule of law, rejecting political violence, and demanding accountability from those who threaten the system.
“The strength of our democracy lies in our willingness to confront the threats against it,” she said, adding that January 6 serves as both a warning and a charge to future generations.
Pelosi stressed that truth must prevail over lies, courage over cowardice, and democracy over autocracy—the future of the country depends on it.
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