WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden on Friday marked the second anniversary of the US Capitol riots with an award ceremony, highlighting democracy.
“Our democracy was attacked. The US Capitol was breached, which had never happened before in our nation’s history, even in the Civil War,” Biden said at the ceremony.
“On this day two years ago, our democracy held because we the people, as the Constitution refers to us, we the people did not flinch. We the people endured. We the people prevailed,” he said. “All of it was fueled by lies about the 2020 election.”
Two years ago, supporters of former President Donald Trump violently besieged the Capitol, overrunning barricades and attacking police before invading the building that many Americans view as a bastion of democracy.
The events that day mark the first time the Capitol was attacked since the War of 1812.
Trump lost the election by over 7 million votes, and his allegations of widespread voter fraud have been met with over five dozen legal defeats. They were also rejected by his attorney general, William Barr, who left the Justice Department in the final days of the administration as Trump sought a way to retain power.
Five people died as a result of the violence on Jan. 6, 2021, while in the aftermath, four law enforcement officers died by suicide.
In addition, Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to 14 people, including election workers, state officials and several law enforcement officers to honor them for defending democracy. The award is the country’s second-highest civilian honor.
“History will remember your names. They’ll remember your courage. They’ll remember your bravery. They’ll remember your extraordinary commitment to your fellow Americans,” added Biden.
Source: Philippines News Agency
