Richard Cowan, Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden will accuse https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-president-biden-lay-out-trumps-singular-responsibility-jan-6-attacks-2022-01-05 his predecessor Donald Trump of posing a continuing threat to democracy on Thursday, the anniversary of the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters who tried to overturn his election defeat.

Windows that were broken by thousands of rioters on the white-domed building in Jan. 20, 2021 are now repaired. The lawmakers and staff, who fled their homes, have returned to work. Miles of protective fencing is down.

Biden’s former colleagues Democrats, as well some of his Republican counterparts, warns that the damages he did prior to the riot (in a fiery speech during which he falsely claimed his loss is the result widespread fraud) will continue.

According to Reuters/Ipsos, 55% believe Trump’s false claim. This was refuted by dozens courts and state election department members, as well as Trump himself.

Biden will make remarks on that topic at Capitol.

Are we ready to allow political election officials to override the will of the people legally? Is it possible to live in the darkness of lies, not the light of truth? The White House has released excerpts of Biden’s speech. We cannot accept ourselves to become that type of nation. We must recognize and then live by the truth.

On Wednesday, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, stated that although the Capitol Building is more secure than it was one year ago but democracy still remains at risk.

The insurrection is not an exception. Without Congress reforming election laws, “the root causes” that led to Jan. 6, Democrat Schumer suggested it could be the norm.

The chaos caused four deaths, one officer who was fighting rioters to his death and four others that were later killed by suicide. Around 140 officers sustained injuries.

Sergeant Harry Dunn, Capitol Police officer, stated that the attack had taken a heavy emotional toll.

You can’t escape Jan. 6, even though you try. Dunn stated that Jan. 6 is everywhere, particularly if you work there. “Accountability is important, regardless of who it comes from. It doesn’t matter who the victim is.

Biden’s remarks will begin a day-long series of events https://www.reuters.com/world/us/washington-marks-one-year-since-deadly-assault-us-capitol-2022-01-04 that will also feature House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other legislative leaders, mostly from Biden’s Democratic Party. The remarks will be a reminder of the damage caused by the Capitol’s worst attack since the War of 1812.

Biden will make comments about “the threat that the ex-president represents to our democracy” and the ways in which the ex-president works to undermine fundamental American values and the rule of law, Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson said Wednesday.

The House is not in session. Many Senate Republicans will also be absent to assist with the funeral for former Republican Senator Johnny Isakson.

“BIG LIE” TAKES ROOT

Many observers are concerned that Trump’s false claims might make it harder for peaceful future transfers of power, particularly those with smaller margins than 2020.

Edward Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University, said that “the fact that the Big Lie took root in the manner it did, and that it’s intensified, worsened, over the last 12 months, is that that’s even greater than Jan. 6.”

Trump is still very popular with Republican voters. He has been shaping the field of Republican candidates https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-revenge-endorsements-drive-republican-congressman-race-2021-09-09 who will contest the Nov. 8 elections that will determine which party controls Congress and has repeatedly hinted he may run for the White House again in 2024.

Trump pulled out of plans to hold a news conference on Tuesday to celebrate the anniversary. He was supposed to repeat his lies. Trump plans to address instead at an Arizona rally on January 15.

Trump is the most loyal of Republican politicians and officeholders. After the attack more than half of Republican lawmakers opposed certifying Trump’s defeat. Only a few supported his impeachment.

Their colleagues have shunned those who called for accountability, such as Representatives Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger. These two Republicans are the only ones participating in an investigation by Congress that has questioned more than 300 witnesses to date, including Trump aides.

U.S. prosecutors have brought criminal charges against at least 725 people https://tmsnrt.rs/3HyfyEg linked to the riot, though so far they have not charged Trump or his associates.

Republican lawmakers tried to minimize the violence by likening the rioters and tourists to tourists. They also questioned whether federal agents perpetrated the attack. Others accuse Democrats of reacting too quickly.

“The most surprising outcome — and the day’s true legacy – was the left’s attempt to use the Capitol unrest to foster a permanent climate of fear and repression,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley wrote on Fox News.

Democrats used the anniversary of the election to promote a wide voting-rights law that they claim is necessary to stop Republican attempts to make laws more stringent at the state and local levels. They have not been able to gather enough support so far to pass the Senate.

Democrats claim they can’t heal Jan. 6’s wounds unless Republicans step up to restore confidence in democracy.

When we think back to the past, how will we view this insurrection? Will it be seen as a turning-point, as a moment when democracy was reaffirmed, or as an indicator of future attacks?” On Wednesday, Josh Kaul, Wisconsin’s state attorney general spoke to the media.