The White House has launched its new official website with a historical revision of the events of the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, depicting the group of supporters of former President Donald Trump as “peaceful protesters” provoked by the law enforcement rather than the actual provocateurs of the violence.
The site portrays the rioters as victims, with President Donald Trump being a champion for justice through his issuance of pardons to almost 1,600 individuals who were charged for their roles during the violent attack on Congress.
Does the site blame law enforcement and Democratic leaders?
As stated in the website, the blame for the violence lies not with Trump supporters but with the “US Capitol Police and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.” According to the site, the police “intentionally heightened tensions” while Pelosi “did not move to secure enough safety at the Capitol.”
All these claims are contradicted by video evidence, court rulings, and other investigations, which all showed that rioters were responsible for starting violence, as well as breaking into the building.
Why does the site go further than Trump’s past rhetoric?
Trump has always tried to dismiss or reinterpret events from January 6, when thousands of his supporters stormed the Capitol Building to protest Congress’s certification of a victory for Joe Biden in the presidential election. But it also indicates a marked intensification that puts the full weight of the White House behind claims that have already been disproven numerous times before.
By hosting this story on its platform, some argue that the government is perpetuating an institution of misrepresentation regarding one of the most serious threats to US democratic processes.
How does the website revive the “stolen election” claim?
One of the main themes of this web page is Trump’s baseless assertion about the stolen 2020 presidential election that was won by fraudulently cast votes by millions of voters. It is on this assertion that Trump’s supporters based their actions of January 6. The site positions Trump’s speech on that occasion specifically in a legal context to uncover a fraud that has no evidence to support this claim.
What does the site’s “timeline” omit?
A selective timeline on the website describes Trump’s January 6 speech as an “encouragement of a peaceful protest” and omits moments when he exhorted supporters to “fight like hell.” It also does not detail rioters smashing windows, beating police officers and breaching the Capitol. Instead, the timeline describes the rally as “orderly and spirited”, with attention to flags, chants and signs rather than the violence that broke out shortly thereafter.
Are claims about police conduct supported by evidence?
The website accuses Capitol Police of using “provocative tactics,” including tear gas, that allegedly turned a peaceful demonstration into chaos. However, extensive footage shows rioters attacking officers, breaching barricades and overwhelming security before police used crowd-control measures.
How does the site address deaths and injuries from January 6?
The site alleges:
“Not a single law enforcement officer lost their life during the events of January 6.”
The January 6Trump supporters who died of natural causes were “killed,” according to the site.
US Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick succumbed to strokes he suffered the day after being assaulted in the attack; he died because of everything that happened on January 6, the DC medical examiner ruled. Four other officers who were part of the storm response died by suicide. The website fails to note that at least 140 officers were wounded.
Why does the site criticise Mike Pence?
The White House webpage reiterates Trump’s claim that then-Vice President Mike Pence could have challenged or withheld certification of the 2020 presidential election results based on “cowardice.” However, experts from all political camps, including then-Vice President Pence himself, have argued that it was unconstitutional.
How is Nancy Pelosi portrayed in the narrative?
The website singles out Pelosi as a central figure of blame, citing her comments in an HBO documentary where she said she took responsibility for not being better prepared for security threats.
The site uses the remarks to reinforce Trump’s claim that Pelosi rejected an offer to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops — an assertion she has consistently denied. Authority over the DC National Guard lies with the president, not the House speaker.
Pelosi responded Tuesday by describing January 6 as “an attempted coup” incited by Trump to overturn the election.
Is Trump portrayed as a victim after January 6?
The website frames Trump as having been unfairly “silenced” following January 6, citing his suspension from social media platforms and decisions by financial institutions to sever ties with him. It argues that Trump “corrected a historic wrong” by issuing mass pardons on his first day back in office.
Who were the people Trump pardoned?
The site labels all 1,600 pardon recipients as “patriotic Americans,” a group that includes members of far-right extremist organisations, individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, alleged neo-Nazi sympathisers and people who brought weapons to the Capitol. Critics argue that this framing glosses over the severity of the crimes and undermines accountability for political violence.
