#NeverForget: Remembering the U.S. Capitol Building Attack on January 6, 2021
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
As a psychologist engaged in trauma processing work, I help clients regain their sense of safety, trust, and intimacy both within themselves and their world. We do this by remembering traumatic events and genuinely feeling our emotions; with time, ongoing support, and processing, healing takes place. Politics, one the most divisive topics of conversation, is a topic often avoided by psychologists even though we know that a) avoiding difficult conversations can be harmful and b) clarifying one's thinking, including misconceptions such as cognitive distortions, and dialogue are essential for not only positive mental health but to move forward with health and community. With these intentions, and with the spirit of the MLK quote, I share my thoughts regarding public mental health and its intimate relationship with the current political climate.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of rioters, predominately Trump supporters, stormed the U.S. Capitol Building, attempting to "save America" by halting the peaceful transfer of power from one elected president to the next. Noteworthy is that this behavior meets the U.S. Department of State's definition of terrorism, which is defined as:
Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.
Let me be clear: Witnessing a nationally televised insurrection DOES NOT by itself constitute a DSM PTSD criteria A traumatic event. Nevertheless, having the carpet of governmental and democratic stability pulled from underneath our feet left many with a sense of persistent uncertainty or unease, typical of the anxious distress found in PTSD. This is what terrorism does; it makes one question their safety, it instills fear, and, in this case, it can make one question their sense of trust in leadership and governmental processes. We must remember this event so that we can discuss the lessons learned, the lessons we are still learning, and how to move forward with a renewed sense of safety and trust.
How Do We Move Forward?
There is no one right way to move forward. I'm a proponent of solidarity, community, and the conversations therein. I believe these are key to stable mental health. Yes, therapy is also helpful. But again, therapy's positive effects result from consistent support, processing, insight, and time. Who has time to process and heal given the steady stream of election, Congress dysfunction, Trump, and global terrorism news updates? So many are burdened with the decision to place their heads in the sand or confront the reality that our elected leaders, their choices, and the media are primarily responsible for our ongoing stress. We can only witness so much human suffering and betrayal before it gets under our skin. Trauma has a way of both slowing us down and winding us up.
Public Policy and Accountability also Impact Mental Health
Justice is a type of accountability that restores both faith and trust in fairness and safety, factors critical to positive mental health. In psychology, we talk about the importance of corrective experiences, a therapeutic process where previous maladaptive thinking or avoidant behaviors are improved, in helping us work through our anxiety and in doing hard things. To heal as a society, we need to reexamine our past, especially the ugly, shameful parts so that healthy, corrective learning and reimaging can drive the possibility of peace and safety. Contemporary U.S. society is no exception.
Law and public policy are critical yet under-discussed factors that directly impact mental health en masse. Given J6 supporters and Donald Trump's disruption of the American psyche, the consequences of their behaviors must be made known to the public. Recognition of J6 perpetrators and consequences for their attempted insurrection regardless of their level of participation (from full-blown rioting to "peaceful" or passive support of breaking and entering the Capitol Building) is essential to restoring the public's faith in their leadership and their general sense of safety.
Divergent Views on Responsibility, Media Bias, and Symbolism
Supporters of J6 argue 1) the public doesn't really know what happened that day because they were not present; 2) that mainstream media (MSM) is very biased, thus replaying the same violent footage of J6 supporters; 3) that the majority of protestors were peaceful, unlike the protestors at BLM events, and therefore the term "insurrectionist" is inappropriate; and 4) that Donald Trump is not responsible for the attack at the Capitol building. I challenge/comment on these claims below.
First, I agree that we may not know fully what happened unless we were physically present. There is a danger in hearing things secondhand and having complete faith in their reporting. Second, most news outlets and media sources, in general, are biased—it's literally their job to promote their perspective. Readers certainly must be cautious, weary even, of reported "truth." I also agree that one needs to be careful of repeated video footage since their mental imprint and consequences on our brains are not fully understood. At the same time, we cannot just discard reputable news sources. Answering what is reputable is beyond the scope of this essay, but using multiple news sources and critical thinking in evaluating evidence is essential.
Third, it is probable that the majority of J6 supporters, especially those attending speech rallies, were NOT blood-thirsty, angry mobsters. I suspect that only a minority (5 to 10%) of the 28,000 attendees at The Ellipse were invested in doing "whatever it took" to save America. In fact, it is estimated that approximately two thousand J6 supporters stormed the Capitol, which is approximately 7% of total supporters that day. I would venture further to say that most of these 2K Capitol Building intruders were likely not violent. However, we know from social psychology how quickly mob mentalities and their associated ruthlessness (think serious violence, including death) can spread.
What exactly is an insurrection?
Federal courts have debated this and concluded the following definition:
(1) A public use of force or threat of force (2) by a group of people (3) to hinder or prevent execution of the Constitution of the United States.
If we were to guestimate that 5% to 10% of the folks who were violent, that's between 100-200 people present at the Capitol Building were ready to throw down, whatever the cost. It sounds like a mob and mob mentality to me if even only 140 people were armed and prepared for violence on January 6th. Nevertheless, we can say that at least 100 armed folks unlawfully entered the Capitol Building to "save America" by avenging Donald Trump's pleas, and to prevent the peaceful transfer of power as stated in the Constitution. The looting was intentional, not merely rebelliousness or anarchy; it was a testament of loyalty. We might never know "the true story," but I am grateful no Congresspeople were accessed or hurt. Still, this sounds, walks, and talks like an insurrection.
The bigger picture is the symbolism: The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. represents our democracy and rule of law, and it was defaced by a group of presidential supporters claiming to be U.S. patriots. The irony would be funny if it weren't so sad. Personally, I was appalled, saddened, confused, and enraged when I saw the televised looting of the Capitol building by home-grown terrorists. Again, the problem is not just that breaking and entering by a minority of J6 supporters is illegal, but that thousands of "peaceful protestors" were in COMPLETE SUPPORT of subverting our democracy. Many thought it was fun, even. J6 supporters who marched to the Capitol building, even the "non-aggressiveness ones," KNEW what they were doing and that it was wrong. If there are no real consequences for them, then how do we prevent this from happening again?
Pundits claim there are parallels between this and BLM movements, and this couldn't be further from the truth. I hope most of us can agree that violence, including looting and burning down the literal and metaphorical house, is rarely—if ever—justified. I condemn all protestors who rob small businesses and government regardless of their proclaimed group support. Like J6 supporters, I think that the minority of rioters at BLM events should experience consequences or justice as well. To reiterate, I am NOT at all justifying violence and looting, and BLM folks are angrily protesting Black folx systematic dehumanization, including their murder and pervasive oppression because they are sick and tired of it and trying to change the system. The January 6th insurrectionists are pissed because Trump didn't get reelected, they didn't get their way, and many feel like their power is being taken away from them. There's a vast difference between these groups and their motives.
Moreover, even if what insurrectionists are upset over is true, their recent alleged oppression and consequential attempt at taking out our democracy seems so… well, unwarranted and exaggerated. The J6's supporters' thoughts and behaviors appear more exaggerated and biased than those of any reporting media outlet.
Fourth, supporters of President Trump argue that he is not responsible for the attacks on January 6th. While I agree that most protestors were adults capable of discerning right from wrong and making their own choices, ultimately, the president encouraged mob behavior. At a minimum, it was not discouraged or condoned. Donald Trump knew better, and he chose not to act. For example, Trump knew he was disseminating false allegations of fraud, that it was illegal to pressure Mike Pence, and that J6 supporters would listen to him when told to march to the Capitol to "take back" their country. Trump's behavior and inactions were the flint that caught fire. On December 19, 2023, The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, the insurrection clause, and that the First Amendment did NOT protect his speech on J6.
I have since been swept in the whirlwind surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to hear this case quickly, one conservative legal scholar's affirming commentary on the ruling, Trump's other lawsuits, and his impending Iowa caucus win. I wonder what people are thinking, am concerned over folks' ability to justify egregious, blatant disregard for the rule of law, and hope that justice and accountability help restore felt safety and a sense of humanity.
Conclusion
The U.S. Capitol Building attack on J6 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the profound impact political events can have on public mental health. The trauma resulting from the televised insurrection, while not meeting PTSD criteria, has left many grappling with persistent uncertainty and unease, questioning their safety and trust in leadership. To move forward, diverse approaches, including solidarity, community engagement, and open conversations, are crucial for stable mental health. Therapy, complemented by consistent support, processing, and time, can contribute to healing.
Public policy and accountability play pivotal roles in shaping collective mental health. Justice, as a form of accountability, restores faith and trust in fairness and safety. Recognizing and addressing the consequences of J6 perpetrators, irrespective of their level of participation, is vital for restoring public faith in leadership and fostering a general sense of safety.
Divergent views on responsibility, media bias, and symbolism surrounding the J6 events highlight the complexities of interpreting the events of that day. While acknowledging challenges in obtaining a complete understanding without physical presence, it is crucial to exercise caution and critical thinking when evaluating reported information. The intentional subversion of democracy and the symbolism associated with the Capitol Building underscore the gravity of the attack.
In addressing claims and counterarguments, I emphasize the need for accountability and consequences for those involved in the insurrection. I challenge narratives that attempt to downplay the severity of the events or absolve individuals, including former President Trump, of responsibility. The focus on the potential consequences for Trump, as evidenced by legal rulings and ongoing legal proceedings, raises questions about the public's ability to justify actions disregarding the rule of law.
As I reflect on the aftermath of J6, the hope is that justice and accountability prevail, contributing to restoring felt safety and a sense of humanity. The essay prompts consideration of the lessons learned and the ongoing journey towards a renewed sense of safety and trust in the democratic processes that shape our nation. #NeverForget the importance of remembering, discussing, and learning from the events of January 6, 2021, as we navigate the complexities of our political landscape.
