Washington, D.C. – On the fourth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a powerful statement honoring law enforcement officers and reaffirming the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding all those responsible accountable.
January 6, 2021, marked a violent and chaotic day in U.S. history when a mob of rioters stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The attack disrupted a joint session of Congress that was in the process of certifying the election results, and tragically, five law enforcement officers lost their lives in the line of duty as a result of the violence.
Garland began his statement by recalling the harrowing events of that day, describing the physical and emotional toll on police officers who were targeted during the siege. “On this day, four years ago, police officers were brutally assaulted while bravely defending the United States Capitol,” Garland said. “They were punched, tackled, tased, and attacked with chemical agents that burned their eyes and skin.”
He also reflected on the enduring impact of that day on law enforcement officers and their families, many of whom continue to grapple with the emotional and physical scars. “Today, I am thinking of the officers who still bear the scars of that day as well as the loved ones of the five officers who lost their lives in the line of duty as a result of what happened to them on January 6, 2021.”
Garland went on to emphasize the severity of the attack, calling it “an unprecedented attack on a cornerstone of our system of government — the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next.” He underscored the gravity of the assault, not just on law enforcement, but on the very institution of democracy.
A Relentless Pursuit of Justice
The Justice Department has been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting those involved in the insurrection. Garland highlighted the extensive and ongoing efforts of federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and other investigators who have worked tirelessly over the past four years. He noted that the investigation, one of the most complex and resource-intensive in DOJ history, involved the analysis of vast amounts of physical and digital evidence.
To date, more than 1,500 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack, many for violent crimes, including assaulting law enforcement officers, destroying property, and engaging in seditious conspiracy. The Department of Justice has secured numerous convictions across a range of criminal conduct, and the work continues as more arrests and prosecutions are expected in the months ahead.
Garland stressed that the department’s pursuit of justice had been guided by unrelenting integrity and a deep commitment to protecting civil rights and civil liberties. “The public servants of the Justice Department have sought to hold accountable those criminally responsible for the January 6 attack on our democracy with unrelenting integrity,” he said. “They have conducted themselves in a manner that adheres to the rule of law and honors our obligation to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of everyone in this country.”
He also expressed gratitude to the DOJ team, acknowledging their sacrifice and dedication. “I am proud of them, and I am grateful to them for the work they have done and the sacrifices they have made over the last four years to seek accountability for the January 6 attack on the Capitol.”
A Commitment to Accountability
Garland’s statement serves as a reminder that the events of January 6, 2021, are far from forgotten and that the Justice Department will continue to seek justice for those who participated in the violent attempt to disrupt democracy. The investigation is ongoing, and the legal ramifications for the perpetrators of the attack remain significant.
As the nation reflects on the tragic events of January 6, 2025, Garland’s message underscores the DOJ’s resolve to ensure that those who sought to undermine the peaceful transfer of power will face the consequences of their actions. The efforts to hold individuals accountable for their role in the attack reflect the broader commitment to safeguarding American democracy and the rule of law.
On Monday, the AP reports, Congress certified Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, marking a swift and peaceful process in stark contrast to the violent January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Despite heavy security and a snowstorm, lawmakers quickly certified the results, with Vice President Kamala Harris overseeing the proceedings.
The certification, which included applause from both Republicans for Trump’s 312 electoral votes and Democrats for Harris’ 226, highlighted the extraordinary reality that the candidate who once sought to overturn the 2020 election was now legitimately returning to power. However, the presence of tall black fencing around the Capitol served as a somber reminder of the chaos four years earlier, when Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an effort to disrupt the election certification.
