Today marks the fifth anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, when thousands of rioters violently stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. In total, more than 140 law enforcement officers were injured while defending the Capitol, Members of Congress, and Congressional staff.

In the years since the attack, Donald Trump has continued to refuse to denounce political violence, has amplified dangerous conspiracy theories, and has repeatedly downplayed the severity of January 6th by referring to it as a “day of love” and praising those who participated.

On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the insurrection, including dozens who committed additional serious crimes after January 6th.

While Donald Trump and his Republican allies continue to spread lies about the 2020 election and attempt to rewrite the history of January 6th, Democrats remain steadfast in defending democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power.

In response, American Samoa Democratic Party Chair Patrick Ti’a Reid released the following statement:

“Today we remember the police officers whose lives were traumatized and lost after a violent mob of insurrectionists attempted to overturn a free and fair election because Donald Trump lied to the American people about the results. That attack was not an act of patriotism. It was an assault on the very foundations of our democracy.

As Republicans continue to deny the truth, excuse political violence, and defend Trump’s decision to pardon nearly 1,600 insurrectionists, Democrats across the nation will continue to stand for truth, accountability, and doing what is right. Our democracy is worth defending, and we will never stop fighting to protect it.