As the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection approaches, President Joe Biden is becoming more vocal about the significance of that day—and the importance of never forgetting it. Over the past few years, he’s made a point to avoid harshly criticizing President-elect Donald Trump during the transition, but now, with the anniversary looming, Biden is drawing a clear line.
He’s spoken out, saying, “I don’t think it should be rewritten, and I don’t think it should be forgotten.” These words, shared during a White House press briefing and later in an opinion piece for The Washington Post, underline his growing concern that the truth of that day is being overshadowed or even erased.
Biden reflected on how, despite his efforts for a smooth transition, the deadly mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol to overturn the 2020 election results cannot be ignored. He called what happened a direct threat to democracy. “What he (Trump) did was a genuine threat to democracy, and I’m hopeful that we’re beyond it,” Biden added.
This isn’t just about remembering the events of January 6; it’s about keeping them in our collective memory, no matter how uncomfortable that might be. Biden sees this as crucial to preserving the country’s democratic values.
In recent days, Biden also awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney for her bravery in speaking out against Trump and investigating the events surrounding January 6. Trump, not surprisingly, took to social media to attack Cheney, even suggesting that she and others involved in the investigation should “go to jail.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping into a historic role. As Congress gathers to officially certify the 2024 election results, Harris will take the ceremonial gavel that has largely been overlooked in the past. In his Post op-ed, Biden highlighted the significance of the peaceful transfer of power that has occurred under his watch, especially in light of the chaos that erupted in 2021.
Biden emphasized that the events of January 6 should never be dismissed or rewritten. “An unrelenting effort has been underway to rewrite — even erase — the history of that day,” Biden said. “To tell us we didn’t see what we all saw with our own eyes.” He called on Americans to remember that day, comparing it to how we observe other pivotal moments in history, like September 11.
As the day approaches, Biden remains firm in his belief that the country must not forget the assault on the Capitol. “The election will be certified peacefully,” he wrote. “But on this day, we cannot forget.”
Trump, for his part, has continued to criticize former Vice President Mike Pence for his role in certifying the election results and has even promised to pardon those involved in the insurrection if he regains office.
At the White House on Sunday evening, Biden gathered Democratic members of Congress and shared his reflections on that fateful day. He reminded them of the attack on the Capitol and how the democracy held strong despite the violent chaos. “Our democracy was really, literally put to the test. And thankfully, our democracy held,” Biden said.
He concluded with a call to action: “It’s your duty to tell the truth, to remember what happened. And not let Jan. 6 be rewritten, or even erased.”
For Biden, and for many Americans, January 6, 2021, is a day that must never be forgotten or minimized. It stands as one of the darkest chapters in modern American history—and it’s up to all of us to make sure the truth is never lost.
