Kamala Harris slams Trump on fifth anniversary of January 6, urges Americans to 'fight back'

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered strong remarks criticizing President Donald Trump on the fifth anniversary of January 6, 2021, attacks on US Capitol addressing the ongoing impact of that day on American democracy and reflecting on her own role in certifying the presidential election.

At the same time, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee also released two new reports on Monday that examines the aftermath of the January 6 attacks. Trump has rejected responsibility for provoking the violence and has offered a sharply different interpretation of the attacks.

He previously referred to the day as a 'day of love' and described those who took part in the riot as 'patriots.'

Kamala Harris on January 6 and Donald Trump’s role

Harris took to X to describe the events of January 6, as a defining and deeply alarming moment in American history.

She stated, "Five years ago, an armed mob stormed the United States Capitol. Inspired by lies and hatred spewed by Donald Trump, they used brutal violence and intimidation in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election."

Harris added, "And since returning to office, Trump pardoned the insurrectionists who betrayed their country." Reflecting on the broader implications, Harris said, "January 6, 2021, showed us how fragile our democracy is."

She further stressed that, "We, the people, must fight back against Donald Trump and his cronies as they sow chaos and fear among the American people."

Harris warned against standing 'idly by as they strip our fundamental freedoms, enrich themselves on the back of working people, and destroy our reputation around the globe.' She underscored the need for continued effort and vigilance, stating, "We must continue to do the hard work to ensure our democracy survives."

In her remarks, Harris also spoke personally about certifying the presidential election on January 6, 2025. She described this moment as one of the most challenging of her career.

Democrats release report on Trump’s January 6 pardons

Despite the difficulty and pressure surrounding the certification, Harris made it clear that, 'not for one second — considered any other action. Because the American people had spoken. And in our nation, the power is and must always be with the people.'

The Democratic reports detail Trump’s sweeping decision to pardon nearly all January 6 defendants, as well as the administration’s mass dismissal of Justice Department officials who had prosecuted those involved during the Biden administration.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the committee, criticized the pardons, saying they amounted to the creation of “a private militia of proven street fighters” and warning that they pose “a nightmare for American public safety.”

The report draws on findings from the nonprofit watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which determined that at least 33 January 6 defendants who were pardoned have since faced new charges, arrests, or convictions.

It points to individual cases such as Christopher Moynihan, who was later charged with making threats against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Edward Kelley, who is currently serving a life sentence on unrelated charges. Moynihan has pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

“Far from being tough on crime, President Trump has let violent criminals out of prison, enabling them to commit new crimes,” the reports allege.