Since the violent storming of the US Capitol exactly two years ago, law enforcement agencies have arrested and charged hundreds of people with the attack.
Since then, more than 950 people have been arrested in connection with the attack, the US Department of Justice announced shortly before the second anniversary of the attack. Many of them have been charged with various crimes. So far, a verdict has been issued in a good 350 cases at the federal level. More than 190 people were sentenced to prison terms. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke of one of the largest and most complex investigations in US history and emphasized: “Our work is far from over.”
“Pray to God this never happens again.”
At a ceremony in the White House today to mark the anniversary of the Capitol attack, US President Joe Biden wants to honor several police officers for their service on that day. On the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Biden told reporters about the unprecedented outbreak of violence at the time: “Pray to God it never happens again.”
On January 6, 2021, supporters of then President Donald Trump violently stormed the seat of parliament in Washington. Congress met there to formally confirm Democrat Biden’s victory in the presidential election. Trump had previously incited his supporters in a speech that he had been deprived of a victory by massive election fraud. Five people died as a result of the riots.
A committee of inquiry in the House of Representatives had worked up the attack in recent months. Shortly before Christmas, the committee presented its final report, in which it attributed significant responsibility for the attack to Trump. The panel also recommended criminal prosecution for Trump on several counts. Whether the Justice Department will actually take criminal action against the ex-president remains to be seen, as the recommendation is not legally binding.
