It’s been four years since supporters of former President Donald Trump took to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in protest of the 2020 presidential election results. The events of that day continue to make headlines and spark intense debate.
While the Capitol riot is remembered as a pivotal moment in U.S. history, it has become one of the most politically charged events of the modern era. Both the left and the right offer starkly different perspectives on what occurred. This divide is also reflected in the media coverage of the events, which varies depending on the political leanings of the news outlet.
Contrast in Media Coverage
Some left-leaning news outlets suggest Trump is “rewriting” the history of Jan. 6 and highlight efforts to redefine its history.
The New York Times: “‘A Day of Love’: How Trump Inverted the Violent History of Jan. 6”
NPR: “As Trump rewrites history, victims of the Jan. 6 riot say they feel ‘betrayed’”
Politico: “Jan. 6, 2021 is in the rearview. The battle to define it for history is in full swing.”
Some right-leaning news outlets suggest House Republicans are correcting what they call a Democratic narrative and emphasizing another side of the story ignored by some mainstream left outlets.
The Washington Times: “How the House GOP upended Democrats’ Jan. 6 narrative”
The Federalist: “The Legacy Of Jan. 6 Should Be Massive Reform Of The FBI And DOJ”
Daily Wire: “A Tale Of Two January 6ths”
The way these news outlets wrote about the event differed, depending on political bias.
The New York Times wrote, “Violent rioters — prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned — somehow became patriotic martyrs. This inverted interpretation defied what the country had watched unfold, but it neatly fit the persecution narrative that binds Mr. Trump to many of his faithful. That day was an American calamity.”
The Federalist wrote, “For Democrats and the left, Jan. 6 is the events that vindicates their hatred of Donald Trump and his supporters. They would have us believe it was among the darkest days in our nation’s history…the real tragedy of Jan. 6 wasn’t what happened on that day but what happened afterwards, when the Biden administration weaponized the Justice Department and the FBI to prosecute more than 1,500 people, the vast majority of whom did nothing wrong.”
Diverging Views on the Jan. 6 Committee and Its Impact
The left has largely praised the Jan. 6 Committee for its investigation into the events of that day, which concluded that Trump incited the riot and recommended criminal charges. The committee’s findings were a significant source of criticism against the former president.
In contrast, many on the right discredit the committee, with House Republicans accusing the committee of manipulating evidence and promoting a partisan narrative. A report released by Republican lawmakers criticized the committee for allegedly “deleting” and “hiding” evidence to serve a political agenda.
The divide is also evident in views on the individuals arrested during the riot. Left-leaning media outlets and figures have largely condemned the actions of the Jan. 6 prisoners, whereas many on the right have called for their release, arguing that they are political prisoners.
Different Narratives of Accountability
The left predominantly holds Trump responsible for inciting the insurrection, while the right often places blame on the lack of proper Capitol security during the breach. Even the deaths related to the events of Jan. 6 have become points of political contention. Four police officers committed suicide in the days and months following the riot, and debates have arisen about whether their deaths should be directly linked to the events of that day. Additionally, Ashli Babbitt, a protester shot and killed by a Capitol police officer inside the Capitol during the riot, has been mentioned primarily by right-leaning sources in discussions about the day’s casualties.
Lawmakers Reflect Different Viewpoints on the Anniversary
As the anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack approached, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle took to social media to mark the occasion, offering messages that reflected their political views.
Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar wrote on X: “Four years ago, the electoral vote certification was interrupted by a violent mob. Police officers were injured and killed. Our democracy hung in the balance.” A community note on her post stated: “No officers were killed.”
On the other hand, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X: “Four years ago today, a military veteran and unarmed protestor, Ashli Babbitt, was murdered in cold blood by a disgraced police officer… We will never forget Ashli.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, posted on X: “It is utterly shameful that the president-elect is considering pardons for January 6 rioters. Pardoning criminals who waved Confederate flags, donned Nazi symbols, assaulted police officers, and tried to halt the democratic process would be a dangerous endorsement of political violence.”
Meanwhile, Georgia Republican Rep. Mike Collins shared on X: “On #ThisDayInHistory in 2021, thousands of peaceful grandmothers gathered in Washington, D.C., to take a self-guided, albeit unauthorized, tour of the U.S. Capitol building.” He added, “Since then, hundreds of peaceful protestors have been hunted down, arrested, held in solitary confinement, and treated unjustly.”
Public Opinion on Trump’s Role and Consequences for Jan. 6 Rioters
Public opinion on the events of Jan. 6 continues to be deeply divided along political lines. According to a YouGov poll released last week, 79% of liberals polled believe Trump incited violence on Jan. 6, compared to only 11% of conservatives. Meanwhile, a CBS poll released this week found that 72% of Republicans support pardons for those arrested during the riot, compared to 41% of Democrats.
Looking Ahead: How Will History Judge Jan. 6?
The question of how the events of Jan. 6, 2021, will be remembered in the future remains uncertain. As it stands, the portrayal of that day differs greatly depending on political viewpoints and media coverage.
While the full legacy of Jan. 6 has yet to be determined, the political divide over the event—and the impact of that division on public memory—remains evident, even four years later.
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