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-Editorial
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and 17 Democratic colleagues took to the Senate floor Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, honoring more than 100 law enforcement officers who were injured defending the building and those who later died.
Padilla, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, delivered remarks recalling the events surrounding the attack, when a violent mob breached the Capitol as Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Five years later, Padilla said the anniversary served as a reminder of the dangers posed by political violence and misinformation. He criticized President Donald Trump for repeatedly making false claims about the election outcome, saying those statements helped incite the riot. Padilla and other Democrats warned of what they described as continuing efforts to undermine confidence in U.S. elections ahead of the 2026 midterm contests.
During the floor session, Padilla sought unanimous consent for passage of a bipartisan resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the attack and honoring U.S. Capitol Police and other Capitol personnel. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., objected, preventing the Senate from immediately adopting the resolution.
Padilla reflected on his tenure as California’s secretary of state at the time of the 2020 election, saying the state conducted secure and orderly elections with high voter turnout. He noted that dozens of legal challenges filed by Trump and his allies were rejected by the courts.
Since returning to the office, Trump has continued to dispute the 2020 election results and has taken actions related to individuals charged in the Capitol attack. Padilla criticized Trump’s decision to issue pardons to many of those defendants, some of whom had been convicted of crimes stemming from Jan. 6.
Padilla also highlighted new legislation he introduced with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., aimed at preventing individuals involved in the attack from receiving federal compensation. Some defendants, he said, have sought reimbursement or damages from the federal government related to their prosecutions.
In addition, Padilla warned against what he described as new threats to voting rights and election administration, including efforts to influence state election systems and redistricting processes. He said he intends to press the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to examine whether political pressure campaigns by administration officials violate federal law.
The Jan. 6 attack caused millions of dollars in damage to the Capitol and disrupted the certification process for several hours. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the riot.
Padilla said the anniversary was an opportunity to honor the Capitol Police and other first responders who defended the building and to reaffirm support for the peaceful transfer of power. He and other Democrats said they plan to continue using Senate proceedings to highlight election security issues and the events surrounding Jan. 6.
