It\u2019s been five years since over 2,000 people stormed the U.S. Capitol, violently discontent with the 2020 election. Most of those rioters are now pardoned- which Pennsylvania Democrats say sends the wrong message about political violence.<\/p>\n
Democratic senators marked the anniversary of January 6th today with a moment of silence and a read through of time stamps of the events of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201c2:11 pm, rioters smashed through the first floor windows,\u201d said Sen. Art Haywood, a Democrat from Philadelphia. \u201cAt 2:13 pm, the senate is in process to confirm the election results- but they are evacuated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Five years later, Americans are split on the significance of the attack. A 2025 poll<\/a> showed 59% of Americans describe January 6 as an insurrection, while 38% saw it as election protests.<\/p>\n Democratic senate leader Jay Costa says he sees the capitol attack and President Donald Trump\u2019s responses as a catalyst for increasing political violence.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of denouncing what occurred there, he\u2019s publicizing it in a positive light and letting people know that \u2018it\u2019s ok to have what happened there. And don\u2019t worry about the consequences\u2019,\u201d Costa said. \u201cThat\u2019s not where we should be.\u201d<\/p>\n Senators today focused on Trump\u2019s pardon of most January 6 rioters last year.<\/p>\n