The January 6 Capitol riot has been painted by the media and certain political figures as one of the darkest days in American history—a so-called “insurrection” where democracy itself was supposedly on the line. For over two years, this narrative was pushed to the forefront of national dialogue, with accusations of domestic terrorism, sedition, and organized conspiracy. However, with more time, investigation, and introspection, a different picture has begun to emerge—a picture that suggests the truth has been manipulated for political gain and that many of the claims made about January 6 have been blown out of proportion, creating a sham that continues to keep patriotic Americans behind bars while real accountability is nowhere to be found.
Nancy Pelosi, as Speaker of the House at the time, held significant responsibility over Capitol security. Despite claims that January 6 was a failure in protecting the sanctity of the Capitol, Pelosi has evaded accountability. New information, video, and various testimonies have shed light on her failure to properly secure the Capitol, despite multiple warnings about potential unrest on that day.
Rather than accepting responsibility, Pelosi has chosen to deflect, pointing fingers at others, including then-President Donald Trump and law enforcement. Yet the evidence reveals a failure at the top—her top. Reports suggest that Capitol Police were underprepared and undermanned, despite intelligence that indicated the potential for unrest. In addition, she was allegedly involved in the decision-making process to reject additional security support from the National Guard in the lead-up to January 6.
To date, Pelosi has offered no such type of an apology or admittance of her role in the chaos, despite mounting evidence that her leadership failures were a critical factor. This lack of accountability stands in stark contrast to the consequences still being faced by numerous Americans who were present at the Capitol on January 6, many of whom are still in prison, unaware of the charges against them or subjected to harsh legal consequences for minor infractions.
One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the continued imprisonment of Americans who were present at the Capitol on January 6. These individuals, many of whom were peaceful, remain behind bars, unsure of what specific crimes they’re being accused of. Despite claims that they were engaged in an insurrection, most of the charges filed against participants have been for trespassing, parading, or other low-level offenses. However, the government and media labeled them as dangerous insurrectionists.
This mass incarceration without clear charges or due process has left a stain on the American justice system. These individuals sit in jail cells, denied basic legal rights, while more violent and destructive protests elsewhere go virtually unchecked.
The hypocrisy has only become more glaring in light of the recent demonstrations for Palestine. These protests have, in many cases, included aggressive and disruptive tactics in major cities, including violent clashes with police. Yet, there has been minimal media coverage of arrests, and in many instances, the law enforcement response has been far more lenient than it was on January 6.
The stark double standard in how the January 6 protestors have been treated compared to other demonstrations raises serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of America’s justice system. Recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have at times blocked major city streets, invaded government buildings, defaced public property, and led to skirmishes with law enforcement, have not been met with the same legal or political wrath that the January 6 protestors have faced.
While hundreds of January 6 protestors continue to face the legal consequences of their actions—even those who committed no acts of violence—similar actions by demonstrators in other politically charged events have often gone untouched. The Department of Justice, under the Biden-Harris administration, seems to have taken a selective approach to law enforcement, pursuing January 6 protestors aggressively while showing leniency toward other groups based on their political affiliations.
This has led many to argue that the justice system has been weaponized to target political opponents and suppress dissent from the right, while giving those on the left more leniency and freedom to express their grievances, even when those grievances lead to violent or disruptive actions. It’s an accusation that rings true when considering the disparate treatment of January 6 participants and other protestors.
For many, the January 6 event has always been about more than just a riot at the Capitol. It’s been used as a political tool—a way to smear former President Donald Trump, derail conservative movements, and, ultimately, interfere with the upcoming 2024 election. By continuing to push the narrative of a “violent insurrection,” Democrats have managed to keep the spotlight on the January 6 event as a way to stoke fear, paint Republicans as dangerous extremists, and distract from the real issues plaguing the country.
It’s become increasingly clear that the Democrats have weaponized January 6 for their own political gain, framing it as an existential threat to democracy when, in reality, it was more of a protest that got out of hand. The vast majority of those who attended the rally that day were peaceful, patriotic Americans who were exercising their right to protest. Yet they’ve been vilified in the media, targeted by the DOJ, and made examples of, all in a bid to suppress the conservative vote and influence the 2024 election.
Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Nancy Pelosi all played significant roles in perpetuating the January 6 narrative. Their rhetoric has only fueled the divisive and exaggerated claims that January 6 was an “attack on democracy,” a term they’ve repeatedly used to justify the continued imprisonment of Americans and the pursuit of political opponents.
The Biden-Harris administration, in particular, has overseen the Department of Justice’s selective prosecutions and aggressive stance toward January 6 protestors. They have allowed a clear double standard of justice to flourish under their leadership, and instead of uniting the country, they have chosen to capitalize on division and fear.
At the end of the day, the American people have been lied to for years about what happened on January 6, and the consequences of this deception have been severe. There are still Americans sitting in prison for minor offenses, while real criminals and violent protestors are walking free. There has been no accountability for Pelosi’s failures, no reckoning for the government’s handling of the situation, and no justice for those wrongly accused or unfairly treated.
It’s time for the American people to wake up and demand answers. The true insurrection is not what happened on January 6—it’s the hijacking of our justice system by political elites who seek to maintain power at all costs. We deserve better, and it’s up to us to hold Biden, Harris, Pelosi, and their allies accountable for the injustice they’ve perpetuated.
