White House website now claims January 6 rioters were ‘peaceful protesters’
The White House has published a rambling website page blaming Democrats for a ‘witch hunt’ in the aftermath of January 6.
Five years ago, hundreds of protestors descended upon the US Capitol building to protest what they believed was a rigged election. It quickly descended into chaos, causing millions in damage and killing five people.
‘Protestors’ then broke into the Capitol building, smashing windows and entering the offices of politicians, where they stole items, smoked and took photos.
When the scene finally calmed down, much of the building was in disarray, and someone was dead.
The day is seen by many Americans as a dark moment in their history, but the Trump administration used the fifth anniversary of the chaos to push an agenda.
On its website, the White House wrote: ‘On his first day back in office, January 20, 2025, President Trump issued sweeping blanket pardons and commutations for nearly 1,600 patriotic Americans prosecuted for their presence at the Capitol—many mere trespassers or peaceful protesters treated as insurrectionists by a weaponised Biden DOJ.’
The website went on to blame Democrats for a ‘witch hunt’ against those who caused the chaos that day, claiming Nancy Pelosi produced a ‘scripted TV spectacle to fabricate an “insurrection” narrative and pin all blame on President Trump.’
A timeline on the website detailed the key events of January 6, starting with a ‘powerful’ speech Trump delivered until around 1.15pm.
From there, the White House wrote how ‘patriots’ marched to the Capitol: ‘The massive crowd peacefully marches down Constitution Avenue to the Capitol to protest the certification of the fraudulent election.
‘The march is orderly and spirited, with flags, signs, and chants supporting President Trump.’
A later section of the article suggested that an Alabama man who died of a heart attack while at the protest was ‘killed’.
Benjamin Philips, another attendee, died of a stroke – the White House also claimed he was killed. Another attendee, Roseanne Boyland, died from an amphetamine overdose.
The site also mentions Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by a Capitol Policeman while trying to break into the building with others.
‘Zero law enforcement officers lost their lives,’ the White House added.
Brian Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer, was pepper-sprayed during the attack before suffering two strokes and dying the following day.
Months after the attack, two other responding officers on January 6 committed suicide.
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The website ended: ‘These Americans, many guilty of nothing more than peacefully protesting a disputed election, were finally freed from years of cruel imprisonment, restored to their families, and exonerated.
‘In one bold stroke, Trump ended the nightmare of weaponised justice and delivered long-overdue vindication to those betrayed by the very leaders sworn to protect them.’
What actually happened on January 6, 2021?
Trump fans violently forced their way into the Capitol, climbing walls, busting through doors and using firearms, chemicals and other weapons to get past police in Washington, DC.
As a result of the insurrection, five people died, and 140 law enforcement officers were injured.
Around 12pm that day, Trump held a rally near the White House and told his fans, ‘We will never give up. We will never concede’, to cheers.
He also calls on Vice President Mike Pence, the president of the Senate, to reject Biden’s victory.
‘Mike Pence, I hope you’re going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country,’ Trump says. ‘And if you’re not, I’m going to be very disappointed in you.’
At 1pm, the first wave of protestors stormed the outer police barrier as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was trying to certify the election results inside the Capitol.
Around 1.30pm, protestors then broke through the last police barricades. Just after 2pm, protesters broke windows of the Capitol and climbed inside, then opened doors for others. The Senate and House call recess and the Capitol building goes into lockdown.
At 2.24pm, Trump tweeted: ‘Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.’
Shortly before 3pm, Capitol rioters broke into the Senate chamber, some jumping from the balcony to the floor. At the podium, they took photos and selfies and went through papers that lawmakers left.
Protesters overwhelmed Capitol Police officers safeguarding the Speaker’s Lobby, where lawmakers were sheltering. The rioters smash windows and try to get in.
Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt tried to climb through, but was shot by a Capitol Police officer and later died of her injuries.
Just after 4pm, President-elect Biden addressed the nation, saying, ‘I call on President Trump to go on national television now, to fulfil his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege. This is not a protest — it is an insurrection.’
Instead of appearing on TV, Trump tweeted to his supporters: ‘I know your pain. I know your hurt. We love you. You’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You’ve seen the way others are treated… I know how you feel, but go home, and go home in peace.’
The siege then calmed down.
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