January 6 Capitol Riot Anniversary: Democrats Honor Police Officers While Republicans Continue to Fight Over Speaker Votes
January 6, 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Capitol riot, which many remember as Donald Trump supporters invading the Capitol to keep the former president in power. However, as the anniversary rolled on, Democrats and Republicans observed it differently.
Democrats somberly commemorated the insurrection, with President Joe Biden honoring several Capitol Police officers while House and Senate Democrats held a moment of silence.
Republicans continued their disarray for a fourth straight day, arguing about why Kevin McCarthy should or should not be the House Speaker.
Biden was at the White House East Room to hand out Presidential Citizens Medals to about a dozen recipients across the country, which include local election personnel and state officials who faced fierce intimidation from Trump supporters.
In his speech, the president said that democracy was held and that "we the people did not flinch."
However, the Associated Press reported that democracy was still at stake as the House of Representatives was still at a standstill after failing again on Friday to elect a House Speaker as Republicans continued to bicker among themselves.
California Rep. Kevin McCarthy managed to flip a dozen votes back to his favor, but he failed to secure the Speaker's gavel once again, as he still fell short of the 218 needed to win. He continues negotiations with far-right Republicans.
House of Representatives Hold Moment of Silence During January 6 Anniversary
The House of Representatives held a moment of silence on Friday to commemorate the events that transpired on January 6, 2021.
However, according to PBS, it was mostly attended by Democrats led by House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York and former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California.
Jeffries, who continued to lead in votes for the House Speaker race, ended the ceremony by saying, "May God continue to bless America."
The event was attended by various leaders from the Democratic party, both past and present, and Capitol Police officers.
Joe Biden Awards Presidential Citizens Medals to January 6 Heroes, Including a Well-Known Republican
Joe Biden presented the Presidential Citizens Medals to 14 people who made an effort to "defend the integrity of our elections."
Al Jazeera reported that the award is usually given to ordinary citizens who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens."
It is considered the second-highest civilian award after the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Biden handed the medal to nine Capitol Police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol against the pro-Trump insurrectionists and five election workers who did not give in to Donald Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election results.
The biggest name is perhaps former Arizona Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers, who was once one of the most powerful Republicans in Arizona.
He once revealed the former president's plot to overturn the elections and admitted that he was pressured to help, but he refused.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: House of Representatives Holds Moment of Silence on 2nd Anniversary of January 6 Capitol Attack - From PBS NewsHour
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