January 6, 2021 Capitol Incident Overview
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Capitol building was breached during a joint session of Congress. This session was convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
In the immediate aftermath of the event, many American political leaders characterized the incident as a domestic disturbance and a threat to democratic processes.
Subsequent Political Commentary and Actions
Former President Donald Trump has since publicly referred to January 6 as a "day of love" and described participants as "great patriots." He has also issued pardons to certain individuals who faced prosecution in connection with the events.
Documenting the Incident
NPR has developed a public database to track prosecutions related to January 6. Through extensive analysis of footage and reporting, this documentation outlines elements of the event, including evidence pertaining to planning and occurrences of violence. The events of January 6, 2021, remain a notable topic within American political discourse.