President Joe Biden has criticized what he describes as an “unrelenting effort” to diminish the significance of the January 6, 2021, incident, during which a group of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election results. Biden aims to create a stark contrast between that chaotic day and the anticipated smooth transition of power as Trump prepares for a potential second term.
In a recent opinion piece in The Washington Post, Biden reflected on the events of January 6, asserting that “violent insurrectionists attacked the Capitol.” He expressed pride in the resilience of American democracy, stating, “We should be proud that our democracy withstood this assault.” He also noted the importance of not repeating such a “shameful attack” in the future.
Congress is set to meet in Washington on Monday to confirm Trump’s victory in the November elections, with Vice President Kamala Harris, the candidate he defeated, presiding over the session. This time, a peaceful process is expected, devoid of violence or significant procedural challenges, symbolizing a return to the American tradition of a calm transfer of presidential power.
Despite openly denying his defeat in 2020, Trump has already hinted at possibilities for remaining in power beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms and indicated plans to pardon some of the 1,250 individuals who have faced charges related to the Capitol riot. In his opinion piece, Biden stated, “After what we all witnessed on Jan. 6, 2021, we know we can never again take it for granted.” While he avoided directly naming Trump, he emphasized that “an unrelenting effort has been underway to rewrite — even erase — the history of that day.”
Biden articulated a commitment to ensuring that the truth of the events is not forgotten, asserting, “We cannot allow the truth to be lost.” He promised that the “election will be certified peacefully” and invited the incoming president to the White House on January 20, emphasizing his presence at the inauguration, especially since Trump had previously boycotted Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
“On this day, we cannot forget,” Biden urged. He believes it is vital to remember January 6 annually as a day when American democracy faced a significant challenge and ultimately prevailed, reminding the public that democracy, even in the United States, is not guaranteed.
Trump, speaking on the same day, ignored Biden’s opinion piece but challenged the narrative surrounding the transfer of power from one administration to the next. “They talk about a transition… Well, they’re making it really difficult. They’re throwing everything they can in the way,” he stated during a conversation with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
These comments were made as Trump reacted to an eleventh-hour directive from Biden prohibiting offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters, a policy Trump promised to reverse upon taking office.
In his remarks earlier in the day, Biden reiterated the need to maintain an accurate historical account of the January 6 events and expressed a desire for them not to be forgotten. Throughout 2024, Biden has actively alerted voters about what he views as a credible threat to democracy posed by Trump. Additionally, he awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson for their leadership in investigating the Capitol riot.
In his Sunday address, Biden reiterated his assurance of facilitating a peaceful transfer of power, contrasting it with the upheaval witnessed during Trump’s administration in 2021. “I’ve reached out to make sure the smooth transition,” Biden remarked about the incoming administration, emphasizing the necessity of returning to a standard process of power transition.
When asked if he still considers his successor a threat to democracy, Biden replied, “I think what he did was a genuine threat to democracy. I’m hopeful we’re beyond that now.”
