A video from 2021 in which former President Donald Trump explicitly condemned the rioters who stormed the US Capitol has resurfaced online, creating a direct contradiction with his current administration's efforts to reframe the events of that day.
Video Clash with New Narrative
The footage, which reappeared on Thursday 8 January 2026, shows Mr Trump stating that the January 6 demonstrators had "defiled the seat of American democracy" and labelling their actions as "heinous." He added forcefully that those involved "do not represent our country."
This re-emergence comes precisely as the White House marked the five-year anniversary of the Capitol attack by launching a website. The new site repeats the unfounded claim that the 2020 election was "stolen" and appears to shift blame onto law enforcement for escalating tensions that day.
Democratic Leaders Condemn 'Whitewash'
The stark contrast between the president's past and present positions on the riot has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was quick to denounce the new website.
Jeffries asserted that any attempts by the Trump administration to rewrite history and whitewash the events of January 6 would not be permitted, framing it as a fundamental issue for American democracy.
A Battle for Historical Memory
The resurfaced video has ignited a fresh debate over the historical record of one of the most turbulent days in recent American politics. Analysts suggest the administration's new narrative is a clear attempt to reshape public perception of the riot's causes and the former president's role.
This development ensures that the legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack, and the political battle over its meaning, will remain a fiercely contested issue as the nation moves further from the event itself.
