Two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, faith leaders, lawmakers and those who defended the U.S. Capitol will gather in Washington, D.C., to reflect on events that are still reverberating through the country’s political and judicial systems.
At the White House, President Joe Biden bestowed a high civilian award to officers who responded with the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, plus election officials who resisted pressure by then-President Donald Trump to stop counting ballots.
In his speech before presenting those awards, Biden told the crowd they were gathered to "honor a remarkable group of Americans," paying tribute to the courage and heroism of the day in addition to remembering the horrors of the riot.
"We the people did not flinch," Biden said, in defending American democracy during the insurrection -- an event the President said proves that "there’s no guarantees, except us. All of you."
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He also paid tribute to those who died defending the Capitol two years ago, and to the family members who attended the White House event.
“They’re proud as the devil that their kin are being honored, but boy is it hard," Biden said. "My heart aches for you, and I want to thank you for having the courage to be here today, so the rest of America knows what your kin did."
In a powerful and somber tribute, families of officers who died in the aftermath of Jan. 6 read their loved ones' names on the U.S. Capitol steps on Friday morning.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the new Democratic leader in Congress, spoke at a rally outside the Capitol to commend the bravery of the police officers who protected the building two years before.
“Violent insurrectionists stormed the Capitol and attempted to halt the peaceful transfer of power,” Jeffries said. “They failed because of the bravery and valor of the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department officers who fought heroically to defend our democracy.”
Holding candles at a sunrise vigil, faith leaders prayed for restoration and expressed hope for a brighter future.
The Rev. Nathan Empsall, executive director of Faithful America, prayed for healing for families who lost loved ones, in addition to survivors.
“Lawmakers, Capitol police, staff... so many people are going to work at the same place, on the same day, where they experienced so much trauma. God be with them today,” Empsall said.
Jan. 6 became one of the few events in history known solely by their dates when a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, stopping lawmakers’ certification of the 2020 election results. Crowds of rioters smashed windows, broke down doors and left the District feeling vulnerable and exposed.
