1A The Fifth Anniversary Of The Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
Jan 6, 2026
Mary-Claire Jelanik, an Associated Press reporter and author of 'Storm at the Capitol'; Lisa Desjardins, PBS NewsHour correspondent; and Igor Bobik, HuffPost senior reporter, share their gripping firsthand accounts of the January 6th attack. They discuss the evolving narratives around that day, the impact of Trump's pardons, and the normalization of political violence. The guests highlight the emotional toll on law enforcement and the media, while emphasizing the urgent need for a shared truth to safeguard democracy.
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Pardons Undermine Full Accountability
- President Trump pardoned or commuted sentences for nearly every January 6th defendant, ending the largest U.S. criminal prosecution.
- That action complicates accountability and the nation's reckoning with the attack.
House Gallery View Of The Breach
- Mary-Claire Jelanik watched rioters try to beat down doors from the House Gallery while police shouted for everyone to duck.
- She heard Ashley Babbitt being shot as rioters attempted to reach the chamber.
Hallway Moment Before Doors Broke
- Lisa Desjardins stood in hallways as rioters crashed through thick brass doors and the door began to buckle.
- She evacuated later with lawmakers after realizing the mob would break in.
