U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) recently issued a sharp critique regarding a former president's perceived lack of recognition of the January 6th, 2021, Capitol attack, emphasizing the profound sacrifices made by those who defended the institution. "The president doesn't recognize that January 6th existed! And these men and women, they, they, they gave their lives! The rest of them who didn't saved our lives," DeLauro stated, underscoring the ongoing political divide over the event's gravity.
Her remarks highlight the severe human cost of the insurrection. More than 150 law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the attack. Additionally, several officers who responded to the Capitol that day later died by suicide in the months following, including U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department Officers Jeffrey Smith, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle DeFreytag. U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick also died the day after the attack, with medical examiners noting that "all that transpired playing a role in his condition."
DeLauro, a consistent voice in Congress regarding the events of January 6th, has repeatedly called for accountability and remembrance. Her office has issued numerous statements marking anniversaries of the attack, consistently praising the bravery of law enforcement and condemning efforts to downplay the violence or the motivations behind it. She has been a vocal proponent of investigations into the attack and ensuring its historical record remains accurate.
The criticism from Representative DeLauro is widely understood to be directed at former President Donald Trump, whose administration's actions and rhetoric surrounding January 6th have been a focal point of debate. Trump has frequently dismissed the severity of the attack, referred to to those involved as "patriots," and has indicated a willingness to pardon individuals convicted in connection with the events. This stance contrasts sharply with DeLauro's emphasis on the sacrifices of Capitol defenders.
DeLauro's statement underscores the persistent national conversation surrounding the January 6th attack, its impact on American democracy, and the differing interpretations of responsibility and remembrance among political figures. The debate continues to shape political discourse as the nation approaches future electoral cycles.