Home | Menu | Sign Up | Donate

They made a turning point a talking point

January 6 wasn't a misunderstanding. It wasn't a protest gone sideways. It wasn't "legitimate political discourse."

I saw the violence. I was the last Member of Congress on the House floor that day. I heard the chaos. All because a sitting president refused to accept an election he lost.

That's the truth.

I've spent the last five years telling the American people exactly what January 6 was: an attack on our democracy, fueled by lies, incited by Donald Trump, and enabled by members of Congress who knew better.

Meanwhile, today's Republican Party has done the opposite.

  • They've downplayed the violence.
  • They've rewritten history to protect Trump and themselves.
  • They've turned a deadly insurrection into "legitimate political discourse."
  • That's not disagreement — that's a cover-up.

Let's be clear: the same Republicans who refused to hold Trump accountable for January 6 are now asking for more power. And if they get it, they've already shown us what they're willing to excuse, justify, and normalize.

I believe democracy depends on accountability. If you agree with me, can you chip in $3 today?

They believe it depends on loyalty to one man.

That's the choice in front of us.

You don't have to agree with me on every issue to know this: a party that won't defend the peaceful transfer of power cannot be trusted with governing.

I'll keep telling the truth. I'll keep standing up for democracy. And I won't stop calling January 6 what it was, no matter how inconvenient that is for the other side.

Because if we let them erase that day, we invite it to happen again.

Jim

Posted on January 6, 2026.

Meet Jim

Jim McGovern represents the 2nd District of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has earned a national reputation as a tireless advocate for his district and as a champion for food security, human rights, campaign finance reform, social justice and peace.

Learn More
FacebookTwitterInstagram