Washington, D.C. — Today, Center for American Progress President and CEO Patrick Gaspard released the following statement on the second anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and American democracy:
Two years ago, barbaric forces launched an attack on the U.S. Capitol, those who defend it, and American democracy at the direction of former President Donald Trump as part of his illegal and corrupt plan to overturn the 2020 election.
It should not be lost on anyone that the second anniversary of the January 6 insurrection falls on a day when MAGA extremists who voted to subvert the will of the American people are once again impeding the formation of government. That is happening because the very leaders who are seeing their path to power jeopardized this week have consistently turned a blind eye to lawlessness and corruption while embracing lies and conspiracy theories. They have no one to blame but themselves for imperiling the ability of our legislative branch of government to effectively serve the American people.
Despite their complicity, it is on all of us to fight enemies of democracy. Voters spoke loudly and clearly in the midterms. They rejected the lies, election denialism, and extremism that are core features of the MAGA movement. But now, our institutions must do the same by holding those who break the law accountable. That is the only way we will preserve democracy for those who put their lives on the line to defend it and forge a brighter future for all Americans.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected] or 202.741.6292.