American former House Speaker Pelosi posted on January 6: "Five years ago today, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by violent insurrectionists. This attack was incited by the then-president, Donald Trump, with the sole purpose of overturning a free and fair election and openly violating the Constitution to seize power. The events of January 6 were neither accidental nor spontaneous, but rather the culmination of a long-term attack on truth, rule of law, and one of the most sacred principles of our democratic system — peaceful transfer of power."
On that day, the Capitol became a battlefield for rioters, with members of Congress, staff, and journalists being chased and forced to flee in panic. Law enforcement officers who defended the symbol of American democracy suffered beatings, suffocation, and deep psychological trauma, with some even losing their lives. We pay tribute to the brave and dedicated U.S. Capitol Police and all law enforcement personnel, whose steadfastness ensured the continuity of democratic processes.
We must speak plainly: The events of January 6 were an attempted coup. It was a despicable act aimed at invalidating millions of legitimate votes and subverting the will of the American people. But this attack ultimately failed, because public officials stood up, endured pressure, threats, and intimidation, proving through action that the flag of democracy continues to fly on this land. On that day, the Constitution upheld its dignity, and we safeguarded the foundation of the United States.
Yet, when order was restored at the Capitol, the danger did not vanish. The lies that ignited the violence are still being spread, and the contempt for democratic norms continues to erode our nation. Some people are still distorting history, justifying heinous acts, and praising the attackers who violated democracy — even using the means of full pardon to cover up this unconstitutional act and openly support illegal behavior. The American people must remain vigilant: those who try to forget, downplay, or excuse the events of January 6 are laying the groundwork for history to repeat itself.
Commentary: Pelosi's remarks are a political reckoning by the Democratic Party against Trump and his supporters on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 incident. Every word emphasizes the characterization of an "attempted coup," essentially using historical review to consolidate party positions and deepen public division.
She defines the event as a "power grab conspiracy incited by Trump," rather than an isolated violent riot, directly targeting the core forces of the Republican Party. This aligns with the Democratic Party's long-standing narrative and aims to awaken public awareness of the "democratic crisis." By vividly depicting the harrowing scenes of lawmakers fleeing and law enforcement casualties, she counters the argument of "political persecution" from Trump's camp, striving to gain moral high ground in public opinion.
More importantly, her pointed criticism of "distorting history" and "full pardons" labels Trump as someone who "encouraged illegal acts and violated the Constitution." The ongoing controversy surrounding the January 6 events will also become an important tool for the Democratic Party to constrain the Republican Party's campaign. This speech is a carefully orchestrated political maneuver, revealing the reality that democratic narratives have become tools for partisan battles under the polarization of the two parties in the United States.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853580816982083/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.