WASHINGTON — Five years after supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to disrupt Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, the United States marked the anniversary without an official national commemoration. The absence of formal recognition underscored how deeply political divisions over the events of January 6, 2021, continue to shape American public life.
On January 6, 2021, a violent mob breached the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to flee, injuring police officers, and temporarily halting the constitutionally mandated certification of the presidential election. The attack, unprecedented in modern U.S. history, shocked the nation and reverberated around the world. Yet half a decade later, there remains no unified national effort to memorialize the day or formally honor those who defended the seat of American democracy.
While past anniversaries have included speeches, moments of silence, or congressional hearings, this year passed quietly at the federal level. No official ceremony was held by Congress or the White House, reflecting ongoing disagreements over how the attack should be remembered—or whether it should be commemorated at all.
The lack of consensus is perhaps most visibly symbolized by a plaque intended to honor U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the building during the attack. Although the plaque was approved by Congress several years ago, it has yet to be installed. Capitol officials cite unresolved disputes among lawmakers as the primary reason for the delay, highlighting how even symbolic gestures related to January 6 remain politically fraught.
For many Democrats and some Republicans, January 6 represents a direct assault on democratic institutions that must be acknowledged to prevent similar threats in the future. They argue that failing to commemorate the event risks minimizing its significance and eroding accountability. “You can’t defend democracy if you’re unwilling to remember when it was attacked,” said one Democratic lawmaker.
Others, particularly within Trump’s political orbit, reject that framing. Some Republicans continue to downplay the severity of the attack or focus instead on unrelated political grievances, arguing that continued emphasis on January 6 deepens national divisions. Trump himself has repeatedly described those charged in connection with the riot as victims of political persecution, a stance that has further polarized public opinion.
The legal aftermath of the attack continues to unfold. Hundreds of participants have been convicted of crimes ranging from trespassing to assaulting law enforcement officers. At the same time, debates persist over accountability at the highest levels of government, including Trump’s role in promoting false claims of a stolen election that fueled the unrest.
Public opinion remains sharply divided. Surveys show that while a majority of Americans view January 6 as a serious threat to democracy, a significant minority see it as exaggerated or politically exploited. That divide has made it difficult to establish a shared national narrative about what happened and how it should be remembered.
As the United States looks ahead to future elections, the unresolved legacy of January 6 continues to loom large. The absence of an official commemoration five years on reflects a nation still grappling with how to confront one of the most turbulent chapters in its recent history—and whether it can find common ground on the meaning of that day.