Romney on Capitol attack anniversary: ‘Ignore the lessons of January 6 at our own peril’

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Thursday called for the lessons of the Jan. 6, 2021, to be heeded as Washington observes the anniversary of the unprecedented Capitol attack, warning that “democracy is fragile.” 

“We ignore the lessons of January 6 at our own peril. Democracy is fragile; it cannot survive without leaders of integrity and character who care more about the strength of our Republic than about winning the next election,” Romney said in a statement.

“I said last year that the best way we can show respect for voters who are upset is by telling them the truth,” he added. “The responsibility that elected officials have in this regard is fundamental to reversing the malaise gripping our current politics and ensuring that our democracy endures.”

During and after the attack, Romney was among the most vocal Republican lawmakers to condemn it as being incited by former President Trump. On the day of the breach, Romney called it an “insurrection, incited by the President of the United States.”

As rioters entered the Capitol, Romney reportedly shouted “This is what you’ve gotten!” to his GOP colleagues. Romney was also among the few GOP lawmakers to place their support behind the creation of the House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, saying lawmakers who voted against it would be against the “truth.”

In his statement on Thursday, the Utah senator commended the people who worked to protect the Capitol during the riot and allowed Congress to fulfill its “responsibility to count the votes and that the transfer of power continued unimpeded.”

“Today, we call to mind the memory of those who were tragically lost on the 6th and in the following days, and we reflect with gratitude on the heroic efforts of those who protected the U.S. Capitol and all of us inside the building,” Romney said.