The White House has used the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol to publish a website repeating President Donald Trump's disputed claims about the 2020 election, as dozens of rioters who received presidential pardons returned to Washington.
The website accuses Democratic leaders of failing to secure the Capitol and alleges that then-vice-president Mike Pence acted "in an act of cowardice and sabotage" by not disputing Joe Biden's victory. It describes the certification of the election result as a "stolen election" and claims law enforcement officers deliberately escalated tensions with protesters.
Among those back in the capital was Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, who had been convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison before being pardoned by Mr Trump. The website described those pardoned as "patriotic Americans" who were "mere trespassers or peaceful protesters treated as insurrectionists". More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to the attack, with over 200 others convicted at trial.
On the streets, some pardoned rioters clashed with counter-protesters and carried banners reading "J6 WAS A SETUP ARREST PELOSI" and "J6 WAS AN INSIDE JOB". They repeated conspiracy theories about an "inside job" and a "deep state" plot, and demanded the impeachment of judges and mass firings of FBI agents and prosecutors. Micki Witthoeft, mother of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer, said Congress had "let us down".
The website also amplifies a baseless conspiracy theory that the riot was fuelled by an "FBI entrapment operation", despite a Department of Justice Inspector General report finding no evidence that the FBI had undercover employees in the crowds or that its informants encouraged illegal activity. It repeats unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was "the greatest election theft in US history", assertions that have been repeatedly rejected in court.
