Biden calls on Congress to investigate 'courageously' six months after Capitol attack

World

Published: 2021-07-07 09:36

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 06:46


Source: PBS
Source: PBS

On the six-month anniversary of the attack by supporters of former US President Donald Trump on the Capitol in Washington, Joe Biden called on Congress to "couragely" investigate this "violent attack," denouncing an "existential crisis" for democracy.

"Even during the War of Secession, insurgents never stormed the Capitol, the bulwark of our democratic system. But six months ago they did," the US president said in a statement. He believed that the January 6 attack was "not a protest, but anarchy."

Biden called in the statement to "continue to work to protect and preserve democracy" and urged "people of good will and courage to rise up against the hatred, lies and extremism that led to this violent attack."

The US President considered it necessary to "define what happened so that we can always remember it."

"This requires that we work together, Democrats, Republicans and independents, in the name of the public interest to restore decency, dignity and respect for the rule of law," he added.

In June, Democratic House Speaker Nasi Pelosi announced the formation of a special committee on the attack on Capitol Hill after Republicans blocked the formation of an independent investigative committee similar to the one established after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Republicans saw the ongoing parliamentary investigations and police efforts as sufficient. 

This special parliamentary committee, which will include all parliamentary investigations that have been launched in this regard, has the power to call witnesses and demand documents. It is made up of elected officials and may be seen as less biased.

On Jan. 6, thousands of Donald Trump supporters gathered at the feet of the US Parliament after a speech he gave. Trump, who was still in the White House, urged them to prevent the House of Representatives from approving Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential election.

Hundreds of them then stormed the building and sowed chaos. Five people, including a policeman, were killed in the attack.