REP LIEU STATEMENT ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection.
"Today marks the one-year anniversary of a direct attack on our democracy by domestic terrorists. On January 6, 2021, the former President incited a violent riot in a desperate attempt to nullify the election. The former President's supporters assaulted 140 police officers and tore through the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from counting the electoral college votes. The former President's supporters used violence because they failed at the ballot box. That is not democracy, it is anarchy.
"It was clear almost immediately that day that Congress had to act. Not only for posterity, but to ensure that the waning weeks of the former Administration were not full of more chaos and violence. That is why Congress Members Cicilline, Raskin and I started drafting an Article of Impeachment while on lockdown on January 6. It was imperative to us that we hold the then-President accountable and retain leverage to quickly remove him from office should he try something even more unimaginable at the end of his term.
"We believed then as we do now that it is our solemn and profound duty to protect our democratic institutions. A year later, many Republicans continue to perpetuate the ‘big lie', claiming that the election was stolen. It was not, as has been proven over and over again. The former President got crushed in the popular vote and lost the electoral college by multiple states. The extremist Republican big lie is corrosive to the foundation of our American democracy.
"History will remember the mob that stormed the Capitol, the President who incited the mob and the lawmakers who promoted the insurrection for what they are: traitors. The anniversary of January 6 will forever serve as a reminder that our democracy is only as strong as its most fervent defenders. In America, we settle political disagreements through voting, not violence. Those of us that value American ideals and institutions must continue to cherish and guard our democracy and the freedoms it bestows."
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