A pro-Trump mob breaks into the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Michigan elected officials had plenty to say about the Detroit Lions winning the NFC North division title Sunday night heading into the playoffs.
#onepride got that number one spot! pic.twitter.com/MuHbD4p7gj
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) January 6, 2025
But fewer weighed in on the fourth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump that halted the 2020 presidential certification and left five dead and 140 police officers injured, and resulted in almost $3 million in damages to the U.S. Capitol. While Republican officials largely have ignored past anniversaries, many Democrats have voiced their criticism in past years.
Monday marks the first Jan. 6 anniversary since Trump was reelected and Washington, D.C., was quiet as Congress certified the 2024 election. With Trump set to be inaugurated in less than two weeks, there were far fewer statements from officials about Jan. 6, 2021. A Whitmer spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comment on Monday about the Jan. 6 anniversary.
Here’s a roundup of Michigan politicos who did mark the event.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who’s expected to run for governor in 2026, said that Jan. 6 is a reminder that “democracy is fragile.”
“Our democracy was tested on this day four years ago — and the strength of the will of the people was under attack. We proved that freedom will endure, and that day in history serves as a reminder: that democracy is fragile. We must always be ready to defend it,” she wrote on social media.
U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) was just sworn in for her second term.
“Four years ago, we watched as a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt our democracy. It’s a moment we shouldn’t forget. Democracy only works when WE work for it – together. I’m working to protect our democracy and get things done for the people of MI-03,” Scholten said.
Four years ago, we watched as a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt our democracy. It’s a moment we shouldn’t forget.Democracy only works when WE work for it – together. I’m working to protect our democracy and get things done for the people of MI-03.
— Rep. Hillary Scholten (@scholten.house.gov) 2025-01-06T15:57:31.487Z
State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) invoked George Orwell’s “1984” while taking aim at Republicans.
GOP is here w/Jan 6 denialism: “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
– George Orwell, 1984Jan 6 was a violent insurrection incited by Trump. Dozens of police injured defending the Capitol.
It happened.
— Betsy Coffia (@BetsyCoffia) January 6, 2025
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) posted a photo she took in the Capitol during the riot four years ago.
“January 6th, 2021. I took this picture. I was there. It was awful. Police officers were attacked. Capitol staff and Congresspeople hid, fearing for their lives. Death and injury occurred- at a workplace that is also the nation’s Capitol,” Stevens said.
January 6th, 2021. I took this picture. I was there. It was awful. Police officers were attacked. Capitol staff and Congresspeople hid, fearing for their lives. Death and injury occurred- at a workplace that is also the nation’s Capitol. pic.twitter.com/h1SMqDnCjH
— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) January 6, 2025
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) said the anniversary is a reminder that Americans must preserve “democratic traditions.”
“While we remember the anniversary of January 6 and the victims of the attack, we must also come together to reinforce the importance of our most treasured democratic traditions — the right of the American people to choose their own leaders and the peaceful transfer of power,” Peters said.
While we remember the anniversary of January 6 and the victims of the attack, we must also come together to reinforce the importance of our most treasured democratic traditions — the right of the American people to choose their own leaders and the peaceful transfer of power. pic.twitter.com/wwK5SPPspE
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) January 6, 2025
New state Rep. Stephen Wooden (D-Grand Rapids) called out “MAGA Republicans” for the insurrection.
“Four years ago, MAGA extremists tried to sabotage an election through insurrection. Thankfully, heroes of all kinds stopped them. From Capitol police who stood in peril to protect others, to Senate staff who protected ballot boxes, heroes from all walks of life saved the day,” he said.
Four years ago, MAGA extremists tried to sabotage an election through insurrection. Thankfully, heroes of all kinds stopped them.
From Capitol police who stood in peril to protect others, to Senate staff who protected ballot boxes, heroes from all walks of life saved the day.
pic.twitter.com/OvFvQAfcFq
— Stephen Wooden (@VoteWooden) January 7, 2025
Mitch Rivard, who served as chief of staff for former U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), posted a thread about what he and the congressman endured during the attack on the U.S. Capitol four years ago.
Being in the Capitol on #January6th was a scary experience. I still think about it often.
Even more troubling is that some, including our next President, choose to downplay, dismiss & lie about what happened that day.
I was there w/ @RepDanKildee and saw it with my own eyes. pic.twitter.com/NbKWPsqVms
— Mitchell Rivard (@mitchellrivard) January 6, 2025
State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) posted a photo calling police officers at the Capitol “patriots” and rioters “traitors.”
Never Forget.
pic.twitter.com/VCRH6pW3Sc
— Phil Skaggs
(@philipskaggs) January 5, 2025
That elicited a response from former Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock, who is vying to become the party’s next leader. She attended a Trump rally in D.C. on Jan. 5, 2021, with her spouse, state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-White Lake), and is facing state charges along with 14 others in the fake elector case stemming from the 2020 election.
“Ya no worries we won’t,” Meshawn Maddock wrote.
State Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford), who had his office and staff stripped by former Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) last year for posting about “Great Replacement” theory, was one of the few Republicans to acknowledge the Jan. 6 anniversary. He marked the occasion by calling on Trump to pardon those convicted of crimes, calling them “political prisoners.”
“Happy January 6th! May every single J6 Political Prisoner be pardoned. Happy Epiphany! May Christ continue to light, to guard, to rule and guide. AMEN,” Schriver wrote on social media.
Happy January 6th!
May every single J6 Political Prisoner be pardoned.
Happy Epiphany!
May Christ continue to light, to guard, to rule and guide.
AMEN
— Rep. Josh Schriver (@JoshuaSchriver) January 6, 2025