WASHINGTON, DC – D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued the following statement before joining President Biden in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania for an event marking the three-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Building:
“Three years ago tomorrow, a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol and violated a core pillar of American democracy – namely the peaceful transfer of power. For District residents in particular, January 6th is a stinging reminder of how it is incumbent upon all of us to stand up for the fundamental principles of American democracy: fighting for the rule of law, ensuring that every vote counts, and reiterating that no person is above the law.
No one suffered the physical and emotional damage of the January 6th insurrection more than the law enforcement officers who answered the call and courageously fought to protect our Capitol and our city, including so many brave officers of the Metropolitan Police Department and Capitol Police. Many sustained lifelong injuries while others tragically lost their lives.
On their behalf, and on behalf of all District residents, the D.C. Office of Attorney General filed the first civil suit by a government entity against the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and 37 individual members of these violent organizations. We are committed to using every legal tool available to hold them accountable for their role in planning and carrying out the January 6th attack.
In the year ahead, we all have a critical role to play in holding accountable everyone who played a role in the January 6th insurrection, as well as everyone who has embraced election denialism and revisionist history. In elections up and down the ballot, we must reject candidates who continue to spread unfounded conspiracies and lies. We must reject those who lack a basic respect for our fundamental democratic institutions and for the rule of law. And we must reject those who threaten our basic freedoms by advocating for, participating in, and refusing to condemn political violence.
On this third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, it is incumbent upon all of us to channel that pain into positive action. Nothing less than our democracy is at stake.”