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Kennedy Urges Colleagues to Remember the Horrors of Trump-Incited Insurrection on Solemn Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) delivered remarks on the House Floor during proceedings convened by the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC-06), and Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05), reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

(Watch Congressman Kennedy’s full remarks here.)

In his speech, Kennedy underscored the severity of the attack, honoring the more than 140 law enforcement officers who were assaulted while defending the Capitol and mourning those who lost their lives in the aftermath. He emphasized that the attack was the result of a sitting president inciting violence in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Kennedy also highlighted the Department of Justice’s successful prosecution of more than one thousand individuals involved in the insurrection, and sharply criticized President Trump’s decision to issue blanket pardons to those convicted.

“The Department of Justice convicted more than one thousand rioters and had hundreds of cases pending,” said Congressman Kennedy. “With the stroke of a pen on his first day in office, President Trump pardoned every single one, putting violent offenders back on our streets. Since their release, what have some of those pardoned rioters done? They’ve been charged with assaulting police officers, making terrorist threats, and preying on children. That is who this President set free - violent individuals and child predators.”

Marking the anniversary as a solemn moment in the nation’s history, Kennedy called on lawmakers in both parties to confront the reality of January 6th and reject political convenience in favor of democratic accountability. He concluded by urging the Republican majority to restore meaningful checks and balances and to uphold Congress’s responsibility to hold the President accountable.

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