Congressman Cleaver’s Statement One Year After the January 6th Attack on American Democracy

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement one year after the attack on American democracy on January 6, 2021.

"Today, we solemnly observe one year since the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the very democracy we Americans hold sacred. To be clear, on that tragic day, we all witnessed an attempted coup by violent insurrectionists who, radicalized by the former president's Big Lie, tried to subvert the peaceful transfer of power and overturn the will of the American people.

"Thanks to the courage of the Capitol Police, D.C. Metro Police, and other law enforcement, that despicable attempt to destroy our constitution and the principles it stands for was prevented—but only after the world witnessed the ransacking of our cathedral to democracy.

"As I sat in lockdown on that tragic day, I had hoped that such a frightening experience would shock the national conscience and allow us to excise the cancerous Big Lie that led to it. Unfortunately, as we have seen over the last year, that lie has only metastasized around the country, leading to more anger, resentment, and polarization at a time when we are already devilishly divided as a nation.

"Democracy may not be a perfect form of government, but I know of none greater. It's why millions of Americans have fought for centuries—from Lexington and Concord to the beaches of Normandy—to defend the sacred ideal of self-government. It's why I marched with Dr. King all those years ago to ensure every American is given an opportunity to step in a voting booth and have their say in our governance. And I believe with every ounce of my being that our democracy, our constitution, and the rule of law remain worthy of defending today.

"As we remember the horrors of January 6, 2021, I implore all Americans to reflect on the fragility of our democracy today. Think about how far the American experiment has come in 245 years—and how much we have to lose if we fail to defend it today. Just as Congress resumed to certify the results of the free and fair 2020 election the night of the insurrection, the American people must stand up to those who would seek to dismantle our constitution and the ideals that make our nation truly exceptional. Together, we will continue marching toward a more perfect Union."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.