It has been five years since the US Capitol was breached by Trump supporters in an attempt to prevent the ceremonial certification of votes for Joe Biden.
The Echo in the Silence
It seems most of America has forgotten that day. Five years ago, the halls of Congress were overrun in a violent bid to halt the transfer of power. The day came to be known simply as "J6," and although millions around the world witnessed the situation in real time, the misinformation and gaslighting remain. Today, public attention is being diverted by a geopolitical quagmire: the administration's expansionist rhetoric and the "Don-roe" Doctrine, which is currently alarming the entire planet.
Rewriting the Scene
The Capitol scene has fundamentally shifted. Today’s "quiet" was punctuated by a small but symbolic march led by formerly incarcerated individuals, including former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. These men, once convicted of seditious conspiracy, were part of the blanket pardon issued by President Trump upon his return to office in 2025.
Today, they stood near the West Front not as defendants, but as self-proclaimed "patriots" seeking what they call legal retribution against those who prosecuted them. They marched despite having pleaded guilty to, or being convicted of, a plethora of crimes including but not limited to violence, battery, sedition, and the disruption of official proceedings that forced elected leaders and their staffs to run for their lives while Capitol Police stood the line.
The elected Democrats conducted a small event to ensure the story of J6 was not forgotten. Meanwhile, the Trump White House has released a new official website calling the January 6th participants 'Patriots.' Let’s not forget that Trump’s second impeachment was centered on these very events. This was despite Mitch McConnell admitting on the Senate floor that Trump was 'practically and morally responsible,' while simultaneously arguing that he was constitutionally ineligible for conviction because he was already on his way out of office. I’ve written about this before, so I won’t go into exhaustive detail, but history played out the way it did.
AUTHORITARIANISM AND PROPAGANDA The Puppet Master Tools
Revised Edition! Available on Paperback and Hardcover
The Anatomy of Misinformation
I started the Today in America series on January 6, 2021, as the events were unfolding, and I have revisited it every year since. The level of misinformation was startling then; it is catastrophic now. Many Trump supporters now characterize J6 as a "peaceful protest," ignoring the mayhem.
Interestingly, some high-profile figures have broken away. Jacob Chansley, the self-proclaimed "QAnon Shaman," has disavowed Trump. For him, the failure to release the Epstein files was the deal-breaker. Others have different thresholds for dissent, while many remain loyal to the "echo chamber."
Dispelling the Myths
To separate the facts from the gaslight, we must address the primary myths being peddled by the new White House "January 6" webpage:
The "Guided Tour" Myth: Acolyte media personalities claim footage shows police "escorting" protesters. In reality, police were "heading" the mob — directing much like livestock away from lawmakers to prevent further bloodshed. Thousands of livestreams recorded the true intent: chanting "Hang Mike Pence" while smearing feces on the walls.
The "Pelosi and the National Guard" Myth: The Speaker of the House has no authority to summon the Guard; that power lies with the President. Trump refused to call them for hours while the violence escalated.
The "Rigged Election" Myth: If the 2020 election were rigged, it stands to reason the Democrats would have rigged 2024 to stay in power. They didn't. The 2020 result was a rejection of Trump’s first-term handling of COVID-19, which caused multidimensional disruption across American life.
It is a striking parallel: Kamala Harris was the sitting Vice President and the presidential contender running against Donald Trump in 2024. Her supporters did not descend on the Capitol; there were no gallows erected or windows shattered. The day was marked by order and civility, a stark contrast to the events of four years prior. It is also a reminder of the shifting guard: Mike Pence, who stood the line in 2021, is no longer part of this administration. As Trump begins his second term, the 'patriot' narrative has replaced the 'insurrection' record, but the actions of January 2025 prove that a peaceful transition became a partisan choice.
WOKE & PROUD The Charlatans' Inconvenience
Available worldwide on eBook and Paperback
Why the "Quiet" Matters
For many, the silence of January 7, 2026, is more unsettling than the anniversary itself. It marks the first time since the riot that those who orchestrated the events now hold the levers of federal power. The "quiet" suggests a nation that has either accepted this reality or is too weary from the military operations in Venezuela and Greenland to argue.
The images of January 6, 2021, haven't changed — only the "vehicle" of the story being told by the government has. Whether we pay attention to the storm or ignore it, the precedent being set today will define the next five years of American civic life. It is heartbreaking to watch revisionist history happen in real time. This article serves as my time capsule: I paid attention then, and I am paying attention now. HLC
About the Author: J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez
🔗 Connect & Learn More: Visit Marcelo's comprehensive landing page for his extended bio, social links, consulting form, and more.
J. Marcelo "BeeZee" Baqueroalvarez is the Founder of Half Life Crisis™, a unique father-daughter collaboration dedicated to the relentless pursuit of intellectual honesty, critical thinking, geopolitical strategy, and meaningful art. Marcelo is the recognized author of the essential reads, Authoritarianism & Propaganda and Woke & Proud, driving challenging conversations worldwide. When not publishing, Marcelo utilizes his strategic insight in technology and business as the founder of BeeZee Vision, LLC™, which includes BZVweb™ Automated Web Services and Info in Context™ strategic consulting.
Continue the Conversation
We encourage intellectual debate! To maintain a clean, focused reading experience, comments have been disabled on this article. Share your insights, counterarguments, or continue the discussion on your preferred social platform: