On Jan. 6, the Capitol was attacked in an attempted insurrection, trying to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. One year later, the story of the insurrection has been told through those who carried it out.
Since late November, 129 people have pleaded guilty for the charges brought against them as a part of the insurrection and more than 700 people have been charged, according to Insider.
Texas realtor Jenna Ryan, who participated in the attack on the Capitol, after being sentenced to 60 days in prison said that showing remorse for her participation would be “like a thought crime,” according to the Independent.
Unlike her, Jacob Chansley, the man well-known for being the QAnon-shaman, has expressed remorse from his jail cell according to CNBC. During sentencing, Chansley said, “I was wrong for entering the Capitol. I have not excuse. No excuse whatsoever.” Chansley was infamous for being one of the central figures in the Capitol insurrection, even going so far as to stand at the speaker’s podium.
The Jan. 6 congressional committee, which was formed to investigate the insurrection and those who have ties to it, has subpoenaed various far-right figures and organizers of the rally prior to the insurrection, such as Alex Jones and Steve Bannon. Bannon recently failed to respond to a subpoena from the Jan. 6 congressional committee and was charged.
The “Stop the steal” organizer, Ali Alexander, was subpoenaed and has said that he will comply with the subpoena, according to a video posted on his Telegram channel.
“The only reason I’m going is that I don’t want to go jail,” said Alexander.
Members of the far-right groups that have expressed racist and homophobic rhetoric such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys have also been arrested and have even been accused of planning the insurrection. Plenty have been charged, but like other suspects, have not been convicted yet.
According to Local 10 News, Julio Chang, a former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy, was arrested and charged by the FBI with misdemeanor charges. The charges include: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. According to Chang’s LinkedIn profile, he received his graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution from Nova Southeastern University and was a PhD Candidate for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the time. Urszula Strawinska-Zanko, chair of the Department of Conflict Resolution studies at NSU said “NSU officials are aware of this situation, and they are taking appropriate steps. NSU does not condone this type of behavior. We hold our students and alumni to the highest standards, and the alleged actions of the individual in question do not reflect the university’s beliefs or values.”
Meanwhile, Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s documentary “Patriot Purge” has two longtime contributors for Fox resigning. The documentary equates the insurrectionists to suspects during the War on Terror. At one point stating, “Jan. 6 is being used as a pretext to strip millions of Americans – disfavored Americans – of their core constitutional rights.”
Many have been arrested in the insurrection and the Trump administration has been heavily criticized, but has the response from officials so far ensured justice is served? More importantly, has it made sure that this will never happen again?
