Trump’s Capitol Hill Visit Spurs Outrage Amidst January 6th Memories
Former President Donald Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday, June 13, ignited significant backlash, with critics condemning his presence at the site of the deadly January 6, 2021, insurrection. His supporters carried out the violent attack, yet Trump has consistently refused to take responsibility for his actions that day. Last month, a New York jury found him guilty of 34 felony charges related to paying hush money to cover up an extramarital affair with an adult film star.
Trump is currently facing nearly 90 felony charges across four jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C. Outside the Capitol, protesters displayed signs reading “Failed Coup” and “No One is Above the Law,” reflecting ongoing public outrage over Trump’s actions and his return to the scene of the insurrection.
Democratic leaders expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s visit. Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett voiced her anger, stating, “Three years after waging a continual war on our democracy, Donald Trump, a convicted criminal, returns to Capitol Hill to meet with the very same MAGA extremists who acted as his proxies on January 6.”
Crockett emphasized the upcoming elections' significance, advocating for Hakeem Jeffries as the next Speaker to restore order in the House and reaffirming support for President Joe Biden.
Former January 6 Select Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi echoed Crockett’s sentiments. “After inciting a deadly insurrection that defiled the halls of Congress, how dare Trump show his face on these grounds?” Thompson stated. He criticized Congressional Republicans for allowing Trump’s visit, stressing that Trump remains a significant threat to democracy.
“Since January 6, Donald Trump, a twice-impeached convicted felon, has continually disrespected the rule of law and sown division,” Thompson declared. “He remains a dire threat to our democracy and should return to Mar-a-Lago to await his sentencing.”
California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff also condemned Trump’s meeting with “the same MAGA Republicans who enabled his assault on democracy and supported his extremist policies and authoritarian agenda.”
“The American people cannot afford another four years of Trump and his allies undermining our democracy,” Schiff stated. “Every Republican meeting today with Donald Trump should commit to accepting the results of November’s free and fair election, but they will not. Their only concern is power, not democracy.”
On January 6, approximately 140 police officers were assaulted at the Capitol, including around 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department. Five officers died following the attack.
Trump, who a civil jury found responsible for sexually assaulting a writer and who was found liable for nearly $500 million in business fraud, still faces serious charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. These charges include conspiracy to violate civil rights, conspiracy to defraud the government, corrupt obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
“Today, Trump returned to the scene of the crime, continuing to fuel the flames,” said Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California. “He inspired an angry mob to try to overturn our Constitution. His unhinged comments about democracy and America’s future make it clear that he is a threat to our system of government.”
