The White House launched a new website aimed at reshaping the narrative surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, portraying the pro-Trump mob as “peaceful protesters” and suggesting they were provoked by law enforcement and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This site has attracted significant scrutiny as it appears to completely revise the events of that day, presenting a version of history that aligns with former President Donald Trump’s long-held position that the election was stolen.
The website attempts to reframe the violent actions of those who stormed the Capitol, despite significant evidence of attacks on law enforcement and property. It promotes Trump as a hero for pardoning the nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the riot, asserting that they were wrongfully accused. This dismissive characterization of the events challenges the consensus view that January 6 was an unprecedented assault on the democratic process aimed at overturning the legitimate election results.
Key claims on the website include the assertion that police intentionally escalated tensions, ignoring video evidence showing rioters assaulting officers. It even controversially suggests that some individuals who died outside the Capitol from natural causes were “killed” that day and claims that no law enforcement deaths occurred, despite the documented effects of the riot on Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and other officers.
The site sensationalizes Trump’s assertions regarding then-Vice President Mike Pence’s actions during the Capitol proceedings, suggesting Pence had the constitutional authority to challenge the certification of electoral votes, a claim widely rejected by legal scholars. The portrayal of Pelosi as culpable for security failures also raises questions, particularly since the responsibility for National Guard deployment rests with the president, not the House speaker.
Additionally, the website reiterates Trump’s grievances about being marginalized by financial institutions and social media platforms, framing him as a victim. While it labels those pardoned by Trump as “patriotic Americans,” many of these individuals include members of extremist groups and those convicted of serious crimes, further polarizing public perception of the White House’s stance on the events of January 6.
This new narrative underscores ongoing divisions in American society about the events of that day and its implications for democracy. The political undercurrents suggest that as history continues to unfold, the conversation around January 6 may retain its contentious nature, with individuals rallying around differing interpretations of facts and accountability.