The Capitol Riots of January 6—in which pro-Trump extremists stormed the United States Capitol to undo the results of an American election—will forever live in infamy.
Motivated by former President Donald Trump's lies about the validity of the 2020 election, rioters shattered windows, smeared excrement across the walls, ransacked offices, and called for the execution of any lawmaker they saw as disloyal to Trump.
It was the culmination of four years filled with pettiness, disinformation, and indoctrination that prompted the first siege of the Capitol by its own citizens in United States history.
Months after the attack, Congress attempted to pass a bill establishing a bipartisan commission investigating the riots, similar to what was done after the devastating September 11 attacks. Sadly, this legislation failed to pass, thanks to a filibuster imposed by Republicans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has since opted to establish a select committee in the House.
But it's Congress' inaction that—according to a strategist for former President George W. Bush's 2004 reelection effort—made the Capitol Riots even "worse than 9/11."
Watch below.
.@matthewjdowd on the Capitol insurrection: "...Jan. 6 was worse than 9/11 because it's continued to rip our country apart and give permission to people to pursue autocratic means." #TheReidOut #reiderspic.twitter.com/41iSwYbEzZ— The ReidOut (@The ReidOut) 1625613764
In an interview with MSNBC's Joy Reid, Matthew Dowd said he was reflecting on Abraham Lincoln's warning that America would be destroyed from the inside.
He said:
"Because there's been no accountability, it's given permission to do more of this. ... [Lincoln's warning] is what I fear about right now. ... What would happen if after 9/11 we had done nothing? ...To me, though there was less loss of life on January 6th, January 6th was worse than 9/11 because it's continued to rip our country apart and give permission for people to pursue autocratic means. And so I think we're at a much worse place than we've been."
Some agreed with Dowd.
100%.https://twitter.com/thereidout/status/1412552623425830914\u00a0\u2026— AT (@AT) 1625678533
Such a good point. After 9-11, we united. NO one could defeat us. Even if some of the choices our leadership made later were wrong, that moment made us strong as ONE nation.\n\n#January6 and the continued threat of right wing extremist groups make Lincoln's warning all too realhttps://twitter.com/thereidout/status/1412552623425830914\u00a0\u2026— Dogs4Life (@Dogs4Life) 1625675413
Saying it was worse than 9/11 will attract a lot of trolls, but I do agree that one way it was worse was because we were attacked from within, and 1/3 of the country doesn\u2019t seem to mind.— Tacitus Kilgore (@Tacitus Kilgore) 1625613855
This 100% https://twitter.com/thereidout/status/1412552623425830914\u00a0\u2026— claudia (@claudia) 1625618482
We need to listen to these Republicans. They know their party and their people. They seem more nervous than many Democrats.https://twitter.com/thereidout/status/1412552623425830914\u00a0\u2026— Political Bean Pole (@Political Bean Pole) 1625615170
With 9/11 our Country had a common enemy. Now we look at our relatives, friends, neighbors and wonder\u2026— Lori Anderson (@Lori Anderson) 1625620121
Others were disgusted by the claim.
No, 1/6 wasn't worse.pic.twitter.com/MYVQIWr6Cb— Giovanni (@Giovanni) 1625614990
This is sick, Disgraceful to have these lowlifes urinating on the graves of 3000 people who were MURDERED on 9-11-2001. This asinine comparison needs to b e stopped and those doing it shunned. There was a time when fools like this would be driven off the air repudiated and shamed— Dr Kenneth Hill (@Dr Kenneth Hill) 1625661730
Jan 6th worse than 9/11?\n\nYa it was bad, but "though there was less lose of life"? What? 9/11 and its repercussions is responsible for over 1,000,000 dead, and 6 wars in the Middle East. \nJan 6th, 6 lives and increased security. \nI'm on the left, and this is pure crazy talk.— RoaminGorilla (@RoaminGorilla) 1625618146
The opinion certainly proved divisive.
@PreetBharara/X
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@christopherharris/Bluesky
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@FrankC164/X