On January 6, 2021, a bright sun lit up Washington DC as birds sang and children played, while a large assembly of unarmed individuals gathered in what was meant to be a show of support for democracy in the United States—a “day of love,” as coined by then-incoming President Donald Trump, who later claimed, “nothing done wrong at all.”
However, those chaotic scenes of violent mobs breaching the Capitol are seared into the memories of many as anything but peaceful. The event saw over 140 police officers attacked and tragically resulted in four deaths, with rioters yelling threats like “hang Mike Pence” and constructing a makeshift gallows. Despite these realities, a significant portion of people, particularly Republicans, seem to recall it differently. According to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll from last year, approximately 70% of Republicans felt it was time to move on, believing the event to be overly dramatized.
With time, fewer Republicans regard the participants as “mostly violent” or hold Trump accountable for the attack, hinting at a widespread forgetfulness. Across substantial parts of the U.S., a daring coup d’etat seems to have been reframed as a minor protest somehow gone astray.
To clarify, the term “coup” doesn’t solely pertain to the riot of January 6. A probable reason for this insurrection attempt not being taken as seriously is the disproportionate spotlight on the riot itself, ignoring the extensive plot it was a segment of. The riot, though brutal, often comes across as a chaotic farce. Take Jacob Chansley, otherwise known as the QAnon Shaman, who became emblematic of the event. He was seen parading the Senate chamber wearing a horned headdress, face paint, and minimal clothing. His demand for an all-organic diet post-arrest further fueled perceptions that this was merely a group of eccentrics who lost control, rather than part of a calculated ground, complex insurrection plan. Make no mistake, January 6 was just a fragment—albeit the most theatrical—of a grand scheme by Trump and his associates to overturn the 2020 election results through misinformation, coercion, and intricate legal gambits. What might’ve appeared as spontaneous disorder was actually a part of a well-crafted strategy.
You could argue that the origins of this coup attempt dated back to Trump winning the 2016 election, as he baselessly claimed—without evidence—that he would have won the popular vote if not for illegal voting. Throughout his presidency, Trump continually propagated unfounded claims of voter fraud, embedding in his supporters the belief that opponents sought to undermine him. After losing the 2020 election, Trump instantly declared it stolen, thus commencing the really audacious moves. As per a New York Times scrutiny, Trump pressured state and federal officials more than 30 times, seeking to overturn election results starting mid-November. Notably, he asked Georgia’s secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” 11,780 votes and attempted to convince the Justice Department to probe supposed election fraud.
Meanwhile, the “fake electors” strategy was developing. Post-election, 84 individuals across seven Biden-won states falsely claimed to be Trump electors. This maneuver seemed designed to create confusion about the election’s legitimacy, potentially giving Vice-President Pence an opportunity on January 6 to halt Congress from officially declaring Biden as the next President or delay the vote count.
As the pivotal day approached, Trump increasingly pressured Pence to reject lawful Biden votes during Congress’s ceremonial validation of the electoral outcome. On that fateful morning, realizing Pence wasn’t cooperating, Trump incited his backers to rally at the Capitol building a veneer of intimidation was layered, with Trump tweeting derogatory remarks about Pence lacking the courage “to do what should have been done to protect our Country.”
Though the chaos briefly stalled the certification, Trump’s coup attempt didn’t quite succeed that day. By 8 p.m., with order restored, the Senate reconvened, and Pence defiantly asserted, “To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win.”
In that moment, Pence’s words held true. Yet, four years later, they ring hollow. Politically unscathed, Trump reemerged victorious in both the electoral college and the popular vote. Meanwhile, several “fake electors” from 2020 found their way back, nominated by state Republican parties to serve similarly last year. Concerning the rioters, approximately 1,400 faced charges linked to January 6, but Trump’s narrative molded them into martyrs allegedly treated unjustly. Many of these insurrectionists now anticipate receiving pardons or request judicial permissions to attend the January 20th inauguration of Trump.
Not only do the insurrectionists seem close to triumph, but the “big lie” remains vibrant. Throughout the 2024 campaign, incoming Vice-President JD Vance hesitated to affirm Trump’s 2020 loss. Further, the perpetuation of Trump’s narrative persists with alarming inventiveness. Shortly after the riots, a deliberate reimagining of events surfaced in some media. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson selectively utilized security footage to depict a peaceful gathering, asserting it was “neither an insurrection nor deadly.” Meanwhile, figures from Fox News, along with influential podcaster Joe Rogan, suggested any violence might have been provoked by left-leaning activists or potentially orchestrated by the FBI to sabotage Trump. These so-called “alternative facts” gained traction, evidenced by a poll indicating 25% of Americans believed the FBI likely instigated the January 6 attack, with Republican belief in such theories reaching 34%. Among regular Fox News viewers, 39% credited the FBI with organizing and encouraging the attack.
Trump’s distinct political prowess is undeniable, his sheer audacity serving as a protective shield that permits him to navigate situations others might falter under—unlike, for instance, Jair Bolsonaro. Yet the unfolding scenario extends beyond Trump’s influence; it is as much about misinformation and the fragmented media landscape as about the man himself. Though we share the same world, our perceptions are easily swayed, a concerning reality still in play today. While the January 6 drama happened four years ago, this is not merely past tense, but a cautionary reflection for the paths we choose moving forward.
