Thompson issues warning three years after Capitol riot: ‘Our country is still in peril’

The former chairman of the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol has used the third anniversary of the riot to issue a warning about the current state of the country.

“In the three years since the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, many of us have continued to expose and address the threats to American democracy that disrupted the peaceful transfer of power on that terrible day. We have worked tirelessly to prevent this,” said Congressman Benny. Thompson (D-Mississippi) said Saturday. press release. “But our country remains at risk, and there is much we must do to protect it.”

“Today, I reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the law enforcement officers and other personnel who protect and preserve the Capitol,” Thompson continued. “At a time when American democracy was under threat, they held the line, and some sadly lost their lives.”

In his first campaign speech of the year on Friday, President Biden highlighted the Jan. 6 attack, saying former President Trump and other Republicans espoused the type of extremism seen in the world that day. I tried to solidify my point.

“Democracy is on the ballot. Your freedom is on the ballot,” Biden said in a speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a member of Mr. Thompson's Jan. 6 committee, praised the president's speech in an interview on MSNBC on Friday.

“Well, it was a great speech that spoke directly to this moment, and it was delivered with incredible passion and conviction and honesty,” Raskin said. “And I think that was the kind of speech that inspired millions of people across the country to join this fight.”