**🗞️ Anniversary Edition — January 6, 2026

“The Day Democracy Was Attacked — and Still No Accountability”**

Friends,

Today we mark the fifth anniversary of January 6, 2021 — a day when a mob, fueled by lies and conspiracy, stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election. A day when the rule of law was put to the test. A day that revealed terrifying cracks in our Republic — cracks still widening today.

Most historians won’t shy away from using words like treason, insurrection, or criminal conspiracy to describe what occurred — and they’re not wrong. The overwhelming evidence shows that this was not a spontaneous protest that got out of hand. It was the culmination of months of lies, false claims of fraud, and a president unwilling to accept the will of the voters. 

And yet, as we pass this grim anniversary, there has still been no judicial or legislative accountability for the central figure driving it all.

Jack Smith’s Most Recent Testimony: What He Said — and What It Means

In late December 2025, former Special Counsel Jack Smith gave closed-door testimony to the House Judiciary Committee about his investigations into Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election — including January 6. Republicans released the 255-page transcript and video on New Year’s Eve, ensuring the revelations would receive minimal attention. 

Here are the most important takeaways from that testimony:

📌 Trump Privately Acknowledged He Lost

Smith testified that Trump admitted to others that he had lost the 2020 election — saying things like “Can you believe I lost to this f***ing guy?” — even while publicly claiming fraud. 

📌 The Capitol Riot Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Trump

Smith told Congress plainly: the January 6 riot “does not happen” without Trump — asserting that his false claims and refusal to call off the crowd directly contributed to the violence at the Capitol. 

📌 Evidence “Beyond Reasonable Doubt”

In his testimony, Smith insisted that his team had developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump participated in a criminal scheme to overturn the election. 

📌 Republican Claims of Bias Are Baseless

Smith emphasized that the investigation was not politically motivated and defended lawful actions taken, including subpoenas and evidence collection. He rejected assertions that the Justice Department was “weaponized.” 

Despite this, the prosecutions Smith led were dropped after Trump won the 2024 election, due to a longstanding DOJ policy barring prosecution of a sitting president — a policy now exploited to shield power, not protect justice. 

So What Do We Call That — If Not Treason?

Some legal experts hesitate to use the word treason in its strict constitutional sense (which is narrowly defined). But others — and history — point to a moment when:

• A president spread demonstrably false claims about election results;
• A crowd was incited to march on a government institution to block the peaceful transfer of power;
• A violent breach occurred with dozens of lives endangered or lost.

That fits every common-sense definition of a betrayal of the public trust.

And yes — even if a formal conviction hasn’t happened, that still doesn’t erase the reality of what January 6 was: an assault on our Constitution fueled by lies and abetted by the highest office in the land.

We Didn’t Forget — But Many Tried to Bury It

The release of Smith’s testimony wasn’t designed for transparency — it was timed to slip under the media radar. But the content screams for scrutiny:

• An ex-special counsel saying the riot wouldn’t have happened without Trump;  
• Proof beyond reasonable doubt of a criminal scheme;  
• Internal acknowledgement of Trump’s private statements recognizing loss;  

And still — no accountability.

What This Anniversary Should Mean to Us

This isn’t just about remembering one terrible day.

It’s about:

🟢 Honoring the officers and staff who defended the Capitol — the people whose bravery kept the country functioning even as chaos engulfed it.

🟢 Recognizing the danger of unchecked power and political lies, and the vulnerability of democratic systems when leaders choose loyalty over truth.

🟢 Demanding accountability — not just in courts, but in history.

History will remember January 6. We must too — not as a trivial footnote, but as a warning.

Until justice is done, our responsibility remains the same:

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay committed to truth.

In solidarity,

Julie Bolejack, MBA

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