press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

News from Progress Michigan

January 5, 2024

Contact: Denzel McCampbell, (313) 400-0298, denzel@progressmichigan.org   

January 6th Insurrection: Three Years Later and Accountability Still Needed

Many involved in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election still hold positions of power, despite progress on holding some accountable

LANSING, Mich. –– This Saturday marks the third anniversary of the January 6, 2021, violent insurrection at the United States Capitol where more than 2,000 rioters broke into the Capitol and assaulted more than 100 police officers. On this important day of remembrance, Progress Michigan calls for continued efforts to hold participants in, and supporters of, Trump’s conspiracy to incite violence and overturn the will of voters in the 2020 election accountable for their dangerous actions. 

“It’s been three years since the horrific, violent attack on our country resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and injured many, many more,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “While efforts to hold the false electors, Trump, and others accountable are a promising start, the fight against Trump’s lies and MAGA extremism is far from over. While many Americans—including Michiganders—have been criminally charged in connection with their actions on January 6, the Big Lie is alive and well in the Michigan Republican Party and many people directly connected to the insurrection are still serving in state government.” 

Last year, Progress Michigan called attention to Michigan’s Insurrection Caucus, a group of Michigan lawmakers who participated in or supported Trump’s conspiracy and insurrection to a greater extent than simply spreading the Big Lie. Every single one of these 14 lawmakers is still in office. 

In the years following January 6, the majority of Michiganders continue to think events like it are a threat to our democracy. Progress Michigan has regularly called out those involved in the attempt to overturn the will of voters in 2020 and the subsequent and ongoing attempts to silence Michigan voters by restricting our access to the ballot. 

“From Congress, to the courts, to state legislatures, all those who participated in or supported overturning the will of voters—whether that be the violent insurrection that took place at our nation’s capitol on January 6, 2021, the quiet insurrection that took place in Lansing that winter, or the many efforts in the months and years since the 2020 election to use Trump’s Big Lie as an excuse to silence voters—must be held responsible for their actions and their dangerous rhetoric,” Inglot continued. “Trump has been criminally indicted and more than a thousand people were arrested, but we must continue to hold MAGA Republicans who attack our freedom to vote accountable for their efforts to hang onto power and rule for the wealthy few. Michiganders across the political spectrum must come together and reject these attacks on our freedom, and fight for accountability and the right to elect our own leaders.”

###