Today, U.S. Rep. Herb Conaway Jr. (D-3) released the following statement marking the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection:

“Today marks five years since the January 6th insurrection. On this solemn anniversary, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders and law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol and protected our democracy under unimaginable circumstances.

“However, we must not forget why January 6th happened. After losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump and many Republicans in Congress spent months lying to the American people by falsely claiming the election was stolen. When Trump’s numerous lawsuits failed in court, he attempted to overturn the election through illegal means—pressuring election officials and coordinating a fake elector scheme. Thankfully, these efforts failed, and democracy prevailed.

“As we remember the events of January 6th, we must also remember those who stood up against this attack on our democratic system. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the Capitol Police and surrounding law enforcement agencies who were placed in grave danger yet fought relentlessly to protect those inside the Capitol and the very foundation of our democracy. We remember those who lost their lives defending the Capitol, and I will continue to keep their family members and loved ones in my thoughts.

“Unfortunately, the attempt to subvert our democracy by inciting a violent mob to stop the certification of a free and fair election has gone mostly unpunished, and some of those who participated in the attack have instead been rewarded with presidential pardons. This reality makes it all the more important that we remain vigilant, committed to the truth, and determined to defend our democratic institutions from any future attempts to undermine them.”