Joe Biden in January 6 Capitol Riot
On Principles & Values:
There is no place for political violence in America
For the last few years our democracy has been threatened, attacked, and put at risk. Put to the test here, in this very room, on January 6th.We must all speak out. There is no place for political violence in America.
In America, we must protect the right to vote, not suppress that fundamental right. We honor the results of our elections, not subvert the will of the people. We must uphold the rule of the law and restore trust in our institutions of democracy.
And we must give hate and extremism in any form no safe harbor. Democracy must not be a partisan issue. It must be an American issue.
Every generation of Americans has faced a moment where they have been called on to protect our democracy, to defend it, to stand up for it. And this is our moment.
Source: 2023 State of the Union speech on Jan. 6 2021 Insurrection
Feb 7, 2023
On Government Reform:
Our democracy is under unprecedented assault
President-elect Biden addressed the nation amid the chaos and called on Trump, who remained silent after pouring fuel on the flames during a MAGA rally outside of the
White House Wednesday morning, to end the siege. "Our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times," Biden said.
Source: Detroit Metro Times on Jan. 6th insurrection
Jan 7, 2021
On Government Reform:
An existential crisis, a test of whether democracy survives
Not even during the Civil War did insurrectionists breach our Capitol, the citadel of our democracy. But six months ago today, insurrectionists did. They launched a violent and deadly assault on the people's house, on the people's representatives, and
on the Capitol police sworn to protect them, as our duly elected Congress carried out the sacred ritual of our republic and certified the Electoral College vote. This was not dissent. It was disorder. It posed an existential crisis and a test of
whether our democracy could survive--a sad reminder that there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy.But six months later, we can say unequivocally that democracy did prevail--and that we must all continue the work to protect and preserve it.
That requires people of goodwill and courage to stand up to the hate, the lies, and the extremism that led to this vicious attack, including determining what happened so that we can remember it and not bury it hoping we forget.
Source: White House press release on Jan. 6th Insurrection
Jul 6, 2021
On Government Reform:
Former president wants to suppress vote & subvert elections
Here's the truth. The election of 2020 was the greatest demonstration of democracy in the history of this country. More of you voted in that election than have ever voted in all of American history. Over 150 million Americans went to the polls and voted
that day in a pandemic. Some at great risk to their lives. They should be applauded, not attacked.Right now in state after state, new laws are being written. Not to protect the vote, but to deny it. Not only to suppress the vote, but to subvert it,
not to strengthen or protect our democracy, but because the former president lost. Instead of looking at election results from 2020 and saying they need new ideas or better ideas to win more votes, the former president
and his supporters have decided the only way for them to win is to suppress your vote and subvert our elections.
It's wrong. It's undemocratic, and frankly, it's un-American.
Source: Biden Administration: Speech on Anniversary of Jan. 6 Riot
Jan 6, 2022
On Government Reform:
Won't allow a dagger at the throat of democracy
I did not seek [to bring the 2020 election] fight right to this Capitol a year ago today, but I will not shrink from it either. I will stand in this breach. I will defend this nation, and I will allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of democracy.
We will make sure the will of the people is heard. That the ballot prevails, not violence. That authority of this nation will always be peacefully transferred. I believe the power of the presidency and the purpose is to unite this nation, not divide it.
To lift us up. Not tear us apart. It's about us, not about me. Deep in the heart of America, burns a flame lit almost 250 years ago of liberty, freedom and equality. This is not the land of kings or dictators or autocrats.
We're a nation of laws of order, not chaos, of peace, not violence. Here in America, the people rule, through the ballot. And their will prevails.
Source: Biden Administration: Speech on Anniversary of Jan. 6 Riot
Jan 6, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Former president created web of lies; can't accept he lost
This isn't about being bogged down in the past. This is about making sure the past isn't buried. That's the only way forward. That's what great nations do. They don't bury the truth. They face up to it. It sounds like hyperbole, but that's the truth.
They face up to it. We are a great nation.My fellow Americans in life, there's truth. And tragically, there are lies. Lies conceived and spread for profit and power. We must be absolutely clear about what is true and what is a lie.
And here's the truth: the former president of the United States of America has created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election. He's done so because he values power over principle.
Because he sees his own interest as more important than his country's interest and America's interest. And because his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our constitution. He can't accept he lost.
Source: Biden Administration: Speech on Anniversary of Jan. 6 Riot
Jan 6, 2022
On Principles & Values:
You can't love your country only when you win
Finally, the third Big Lie being told by a former president and supporters is that the mob who sought to impose their will through violence are the nation's true patriots. Is that what you thought when you looked at the mob ransacking the
Capitol, destroying property, literally defecating in the hallways? Rifling through the desks of senators and representatives? Hunting down members of congress. Patriots? Not my view.
To me, the true patriots for the more than 150 Americans who peacefully expressed their vote at the ballot box. The election workers who protected the integrity of the vote and the heroes who defended this Capitol.
You can't love your country only when you win. You can't obey the law only when it's convenient. You can't be patriotic when you embrace and enable lies.
Source: Biden Administration: Speech on Anniversary of Jan. 6 Riot
Jan 6, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023